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LIGO and VIRGO are sensitive to gravitational waves within a specific frequency range. The bulk of GW energy is emitted at a frequency that is twice the orbital
by privong 6y ago
LIGO and VIRGO are sensitive to gravitational waves within a specific frequency range. The bulk of GW energy is emitted at a frequency that is twice the orbital frequency of the objects emitting the gravitational waves. Supermassive black holes are sufficiently large that they merge before they could have an orbit compact enough to emit gravitational waves at high enough frequencies for LIGO and VIRGO to detect them. Less massive compact objects are smaller and so can reach higher orbital frequencies before merging.
- 7373737373 6y agoThere seem to be projects for lower frequencies/longer wavelengths underway: https://youtu.be/GlmMxmWHEfg?t=3733 https://youtu.be/GlmMxmWHEfg?t=3733
- thunderrabbit 6y agoCool!
- thunderrabbit 6y agoOh wow so it's exactly the opposite of my guess. Thank you for your explanation. It now makes perfect sense to me that more massive objects wouldn't revolve quickly enough to create high frequency waves.