The simultaneous detection of a gravitational wave signal
by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) at both the
Livingston, LA and Hanford, WA sites is a spectacular scientific and technological achievement.
In addition to verifying a major prediction of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity,
proposed almost exactly 100 years prior to this discovery, and successfully
capping a decades-long quest, the first detection of gravitational waves opens up
an entirely new window on our universe, independent of the electromagnetic spectrum.
After a basic overview of the history and theory of gravitational waves
and the LIGO interferometer for non-experts, I will discuss the discovery
event of GW150914, and its interpretation as the inspiral and coalescence of a
binary 'black hole' system. The discovery has broad implications both for
unprecedented testing of fundamental physics and General Relativity in
strong gravitational fields, as well as heralding the beginning of the era
of gravitational wave astronomy