The first observations of gravitational waves emitted by binary systems consisting of very compact objects, made by Advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors, marked the start of a new era. Optical telescopes were used at first, but later on radio wave detectors and X-ray detectors provided researchers with a new way to explore the cosmos. Today we can also see it through gravitational waves, which allows us to explore new frontiers in physics and astrophysics. Thus the audience will be guided on a journey of discovery of one of the most important scientific achievements of the past 100 years, reviewing the main stages that led to the first direct detection of gravitational waves in September 2015, and will be able to understand the extraordinary potential of gravitational astronomy and the extremely advanced technological level of the instruments and techniques of analysis employed.
 

Pia Astone is First research fellow with the INFN, Department of Physics, Rome Sapienza University - Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences. She teaches Physics 2 at the Department of Chemistry and Physics in the Faculty of Pharmacy Faculty. She is a member of the LIGO/Virgo collaboration, was its scientific coordinator from 2012 to 2014 and still chairs the Rome Sapienza Virgo Group. She coordinates the popularisation activities of the INFN's Rome section and is the national INFN coordinator for the PCTO Lab2Go project.

Reservation for Sapienza students

Informazioni

Students from Rome's Sapienza University are required to reserve their place (40 places available for each lecture, admission free). Visitors to the exhibitions may also attend the lectures while places last. Broadcast in live streaming on this web page

Palazzo delle Esposizioni – Rotonda

via Nazionale 194, Roma