Observation by Alex Pratt: GEO600 - gravitational wave detector

Uploaded by

Alex Pratt

Observer

Alex Pratt

Observed

2015 Sep 01 - 08:00

Uploaded

2024 Jun 14 - 19:20

Objects

Observatory

Equipment

Still image mode on video camera

Location

GEO600, Sarstedt, Hannover, Germany

Target name

GEO600 - gravitational wave detector

Title

GEO600 - gravitational wave detector

About this image

Professor Martin Hendry has given talks to the BAA on gravitational wave astronomy and he described the work and achievements of the LIGO Scientific Consortium, including GEO600 which is a gravitational wave detector (and research and development centre) near Hannover, Germany. Len Entwisle and I attended ESOP XXXIV (Occultation Symposium) in Hannover in 2015 and it included a visit to GEO600.

Home | GEO600 Gravitational-wave Detector

This German-UK facility operates a Michelson interferometer with laser beams at right angles to each other in vacuum tubes 600 metres long. We were given an overview of the physics and engineering involved and after donning dust covers over our footwear and heavy-duty goggles for eye protection against any stray laser light (see picture of Len) we began our tour.

Files associated with this observation

GEO600_20150901_ARP.jpg (483.5 kB)

Like this image

Jeremy Shears, Callum Potter, Tim Haymes, Gerard Cauchi, Dr Paul Leyland, Graham Winstanley, Robin Leadbeater, Philip Jennings

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