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#Mon Aug 09 11:42:52 CEST 2010
Text__Zwl7kKOaEd-WfYQ0GneCwQ_title=Detecting gravitational waves
Text__Zwl7kKOaEd-WfYQ0GneCwQ_text=One kind of gravitational wave detector, the so-called <strong>resonant detectors</strong>, are designed to measure the influence of a gravitational wave on a massive object such as a metal cylinder. The stretching and shrinking of space by which the gravitational wave shows its presence should induce oscillations of such a cylinder; measuring these oscillations would be a way to detect the gravitational waves. This method was first used by the pioneer of gravitational wave research Joseph Weber (1919-2000) in the 1960s. Todays resonant detectors cool the test mass down to a temperature close to absolute zero, in order to minimize certain types of noise. The image shows the Italian detector Nautilus, opened up to reveal the cylindrical test mass inside; around it, one can see the thermal insulation and vacuum tank.