https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Binarydotexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-05-01T04:35:05ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1642:_Gravitational_Waves&diff=1115071642: Gravitational Waves2016-02-11T22:06:37Z<p>Binarydot: /* Explanation */</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 1642<br />
| date = February 11, 2016<br />
| title = Gravitational Waves<br />
| image = gravitational waves.png<br />
| titletext = "That last LinkedIn request set a new record for the most energetic physical event ever observed. Maybe we should respond." "Nah."<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Needs more technical expertise on gravitational waves}}<br />
A {{w|gravitational wave detector}} is a device used to measure {{w|gravitational waves}}, small distortions of {{w|spacetime}} that were first predicted by Albert Einstein in 1916. <br />
<br />
Megan, Cueball, and Ponytail are listening to signals from a gravitational wave detector. However, in addition to "normal" wave signals, there are also signals that appear to be "spam" emails, like invitations from {{w|Linkedin}}, a job networking site, a mortgage offer, and a social meetup. There is also a joke because the 'local group' is also the technical name for the group of galaxies containing the Milky Way.<br />
<br />
This comic was published on a Thursday, not following the normal publish schedule, to coincide with the [https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/feb/11/gravitational-waves-discovery-hailed-as-breakthrough-of-the-century discovery of a clear gravitational wave signal] on February 11, 2016. Gravitational waves were detected through the collision of 2 black holes.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
<br />
:[Cueball, Megan, and Ponytail are in a room in front of a computer machine]<br />
:Megan: The gravitational wave detector works! For the first time, we can listen in on the signals carried by ripples in the fabric of space itself!<br />
<br />
:Computer: EVENT: Black hole merger in Carina (30 M<sub>☉</sub>, 30 M<sub>☉</sub>)<br />
:Computer: EVENT: Zorlax the Mighty would like to connect on Linkedin<br />
:Computer: EVENT: Black hole merger in Orion (20 M<sub>☉</sub>, 50 M<sub>☉</sub>)<br />
:Computer: EVENT: Mortgage offer from Triangulum Galaxy<br />
:Computer: EVENT: Zorlax the Mighty would like to connect on Linkedin<br />
:Computer: EVENT: Meet lonely singles in the local group tonight!<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]<br />
[[Category:Astronomy]]</div>Binarydot