Gravitational wave

In physics, gravitational waves are ripples in the curvature of spacetime which propagate as waves, travelling outward from the source. Predicted in 1916 by Albert Einstein on the basis of his theory of general relativity, gravitational waves transport energy as gravitational radiation.

An animation of the effect of a (plus-polarized) gravitational wave on a ring of test particles.

Quotes

• Ladies and gentlemen, we have detected gravitational waves. We did it!
  • David Reitze, LIGO detects gravitational waves, 2016