LIGO Is Part Of Breakthrough Gravitational Waves Research

For a new authority in gravitational waves research, India has made an agreement with the U.S. to open a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) project, established during the Nuclear Security Summit.

"Today is an exciting day because it offers the promise of deepening our understanding and opening an even wider window to our universe," said France Cordova, director of the National Science Foundation. "We look forward to working closely with our Indian colleagues in this endeavor to further our knowledge of the most energetic phenomena in the cosmos."

LIGO has taken a big role in the discovery of gravitational waves, which was a support for Einstein's general theory of relativity, offering a new technique to study the universe. A complex lab  in the observatory enabled scientists to arrive at the discovery.

Some sensitive instruments to locate sub-atomic movements in space, as well as activities stemming from gravitational waves through the Earth, can help the scientists. Along with LIGO's current twin observatories, India's third detector can help experts to advance their understanding of the source and cause of gravitational wave propagation.

"Historic detection of gravitational waves opens up a new frontier for the understanding of the universe," Modi said. "Hope to move forward to make an even bigger contribution with an advanced gravitational wave detector in the country.

"What was significant about this project was that now India has agreed to be a part of this project," added Vikas Swarup, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

The research-friendly geography and a sanction of $180 billion for the ambitious project are other reasons that there is promise in the LIGO project.