| Dr. Subhash Soni Assistant Professor Government NM College Hanumangarh (Rajasthan) |
Abstract
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) has redefined our understanding of the universe by detecting gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime predicted by Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity in 1916. Since its groundbreaking first detection in 2015, LIGO has provided unprecedented insights into black hole mergers, neutron star collisions, and fundamental physics. This paper reviews LIGO’s technological innovations, major scientific discoveries, operational challenges, and future directions as of September 2025. By synthesizing recent publications, X posts, and web sources, we explore how LIGO has transformed astrophysics, cosmology, and our approach to studying the cosmos, while also addressing its societal impact and global collaborations.