Gravitational waves are like cosmic ripples, vibrations of space-time generated by events of immense power: the collapse of dying stars, the furious dance of colliding black holes. For us, these waves are like coded messages from a hidden universe, a dimension that science is only beginning to explore.
LISA, the new joint mission from ESA and NASA, is a revolutionary space observatory designed to “listen” to these gravitational waves. The target? Unveil cosmic secrets that have so far remained inaccessible. Imagine being able to observe the collision of two supermassive black holes, an apocalyptic event that releases the energy of billions of stars. With LISA, we will be able to "hear" the roar of this collision through the gravitational waves it emits, opening a window onto a universe of extreme phenomena. Let's get ready to listen to the symphony of the universe: LISA is ready to make us vibrate with the cosmic notes of gravitational waves.
LISA technology to observe gravitational waves
LISA is made up of three satellites that form an equilateral triangle of 2,5 million kilometers on each side. These satellites travel in orbit around the Sun, continuously sending laser beams to each other to precisely measure the distance between them. The gravitational waves passing through the triangle cause tiny variations in the distances between the satellites, distorting the triangle (just, returning to the earlier example, like the surface of a lake rippled by the wind). LISA can detect these distortions with unprecedented sensitivity, opening a new era of astrophysics.
What will it be used for? To study a variety of cosmic phenomena with never-before-seen precision:
- Supermassive black holes: We will be able to observe their formation and growth, their merger and their role in the evolution of galaxies. Shows like the ones you see in the simulation below.
- Neutron stars and white dwarfs: We will be able to study these compact objects in binary systems, revealing the secrets of their exotic matter.
- The dawn of the universe: Gravitational waves will allow us to explore the first moments after the Big Bang, providing valuable information on cosmology and fundamental physics.
A human adventure
LISA is designed to detect low-frequency gravitational waves that instruments on Earth cannot detect
Ira Thorpe, Goddard Space flight Center NASA
LISA is more than a space observatory: it is a portal to a future of discovery and wonder. A future in which man, with his ingenuity and tenacity, will continue to explore the universe, pushing beyond the boundaries of the known and opening new frontiers of knowledge. Gravitational waves offer us a unique opportunity to know the universe in a deeper and more intimate way, to reveal the secrets hidden in the vibrations of space-time. LISA is the key that will allow us to open this door, to access a new era of astronomy that will revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos and our place in it.
The adventure has just begun. LISA's journey is a journey for all of us, a journey towards a future of knowledge and discovery. A future where the stars will whisper their secrets to us and gravitational waves will make us vibrate to the rhythm of the universe.
