| Description |
Gravitational wave detectors are making steady progress improving their sensitivity. The first detections could come in the next year or in the next five. But the ultimate goal is to do astronomy with gravitational waves. Advanced detectors will have enough sensitivity to make regular observations after 2015, but because they must work as a network, the astronomical information will be limited unless more are built than are presently funded. A large detector in India could make a huge contribution to the science. In space, LISA will be the first high-signal-to-noise gravitational wave observatory, exploring the very high redshift universe. Third-generation detectors are currently being discussed as the ultimate long-term ground-based facility.
|