Southeastern Sims Memorial Library will host LIGO exhibit
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
2/5/10
HAMMOND – Gravitational waves will pass through Hammond at an interactive exhibit in Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sims Memorial Library. A product of scientists from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) in Livingston, the exhibit will be on display beginning Feb. 9 and run through Feb. 24.
The library is partnering with the Department of Chemistry and Physics and LIGO to present “Astronomy’s New Messengers,” which focuses on gravitational waves, one of Einstein’s predictions stemming from his gravity theory of general relativity.
“Gravitational waves are disturbances of space-time traveling at the speed of light, much like ripples on the surface of water. They are generated by fast moving, massive objects in nature,” said Gerard Blanchard, professor and department head of Chemistry and Physics. “The exhibit will give the viewer a hands-on experience with the basic physical nature of gravitational waves and their effects on space-time.”
The traveling exhibit made its debut at the World Science Festival in New York City in June then traveled to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. The exhibit can be viewed on the library’s first floor exhibit area Mondays through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 11 p.m.
For more information, contact Blanchard at gblanchard@selu.edu or Sims Memorial Library at (985) 549-3860.
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