Simple interference pattern used to illustrate gravity waves

Waves radiating from 2 objects orbiting each other. As the objects approach each other interference patterns emerge. In the case of gravity, this would cause distortions in the gravitational field, and because the objects rotate these distortions would sweep around like a lighthouse. This would spread out into space in a spiral pattern, causing 'gravity waves'.

As the objects merge, you can see the peaks and troughs in the waves merge (it starts with a lot of spikes, then becomes a few 'lobes', then eventually collapses back to regular circles).

The 'rippling' effect is for illustration only, it makes the underlying pattern much more obvious.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• interference
• gravity waves
• propagation