Proving Einstein Right

WUNC | By Will Michaels,

Published February 17, 2016 at 12:04 PM EST

Scientists have confirmed Einstein's theory on black holes by capturing gravitational waves from black holes collding. Seen here: black hole jets.

Laura Mensini-Houghton, physics professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Greg Cook, physics professor at Wake Forest University, explain how gravitational waves work, and what they mean for future research in astrophysics

Scientists with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) recently announced that they had detected elusive gravitational waves.

The phenomenon was predicted by Albert Einstein in his infamous theory of relativity, but was never proven until now. The breakthrough findings prove that space and time are indeed interconnected, and opens up a new way of observing the universe and its origins.

Host FrankStasiotalks with Laura Mersini-Houghton, physics professor atUNC-ChapelHill, andGreg Cook, physics professor at Wake Forest University, about how gravitational waves work, and what they mean for future research in astrophysics.