LIGO a place to learn by example

• By CHAD HEBERT
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Jun 14, 2009

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Nestled in the pine forests north of Livingston is a place where physics comes alive through hands-on experiments and activities.

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, commonly known as LIGO, exists for the purpose of measuring cosmic gravitational waves for scientific research. LIGO’s Science Education Center gives visitors a chance to more easily understand the facility’s function, using hands-on experiments made up of items used in everyday life.

“We’re very proud of it,” Observatory Head Joe Giaime said of the SEC.

About 5,000 students and 3,600 teachers visit LIGO each year, Giaime said, and the staff is trying to begin hosting open houses on weekends. The observatory is open to the public only at special times, and the previous schedule of reservation-only visiting times on Fridays is tough on working families.

Kathy Holt, who takes care of science education and outreach, says the SEC provides an easy and fun educational experience. Part of the experience for students begins in the SEC’s classroom, where activities are adapted for every grade level.

“We try not to give too much information,” Holt said.

That’s because a big chunk of the learning is done hands-on in the Exhibit Hall. There, visitors are urged to “play” with exhibits dealing with areas of physics including the following:

• Light
• Waves
• Interference
• Gravity
• Resonance
• Oscillations
• Feedback
• Astronomy

“We try to make science fun, part of everyday life,” Holt said.

There is even a model-sized interferometer to help better explain how LIGO works. An educational element located on the SEC’s front exterior is the “Wave Wall,” a series of 122 inline aluminum pendulums that represent a sine wave when in motion.

“Every ‘toy’ in here we can relate to (LIGO),” Holt said.

LIGO, which is operated by the California Institute of Technology, measures gravitational waves using two 4-kilometer-long (2-mile) tubes in the shape on a “L.” The tubes are fitted with a series of mirrors that sense gravitational waves.

A single laser beam is shot and split into the two tubes of the “L.” As the beams are shot back and forth, the distance between the two where they cross is measured. This helps sense and measure the presence of gravitational waves.