Question

UPSC Prelims 2019 Question:

Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of lightyears away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

1. 'Higgs boson particles’ were detected.
2. 'Gravitational waves’ were detected.
3. Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.
4. It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2: 'Gravitational waves’ were detected.

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The most powerful gravitational waves are created when objects move at very high speeds. Some examples of events that could cause a gravitational wave are:

- when a star explodes asymmetrically (called a supernova)
- when two big stars orbit each other

when two black holes orbit each other and merge

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Relevance: In 2016, gravitational waves produced by two giant merging blackholes in 2016.

Subject: Science & Technology | Recent Developments

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