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West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Gravitational Waves and Cosmology Department of Physics and Astronomy
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About Us

Our researchers drive the Center as a world-class scientific research enterprise, focusing on cutting edge research, effective public outreach and educational initiatives supporting the next generation of researchers across the world.

People

We are experts in observational and theoretical astrophysics, radio instrumentation, computer science, and outreach and education. We span two colleges and have affiliates throughout West Virginia.

People

A woman gives a presentation in the planetarium auditorium.

Our Mission

The Center for Gravitational Waves and Cosmology addresses cutting-edge astrophysics problems that can be solved most effectively through interdisciplinary collaboration across physics, astronomy, math, computer science, and engineering.

GWAC professionals huddled around a computer working through a problem.

Our Center

The Center strives to be a world-class scientific research enterprise, and an engine for educational and civic development in West Virginia. We will continue to work closely with the Green Bank Observatory, as well as institutions throughout the state, nation, and world, in order to provide science opportunities for researchers and students of all levels and to foster the continued growth of science and technology in West Virginia.

Observatories:

These are some of the observatories are used by Center members for many observational and engineering projects. GBO is used in NANOGrav's search for low-frequency gravitational waves, other pulsar science, mapping regions of star formation and neutral hydrogen in the Milky Way, and studies of neutral hydrogen in other galaxies. LIGO is used by Center members searching for and characterizing high-frequency gravitational wave sources.

GBO:

Green Bank Observatory

The Green Bank Observatory is located in the heart of the National Radio Quiet Zone in Pocahontas County, WV, and is home to the Green Bank Telescope, the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope, along with several other instruments. It is a major facility of the National Science Foundation, and is operated by Associated Universities, Incorporated.

Green Bank Observatory
Aerial view of the Green Bank Telescope

LIGO:

Advanced LIGO

Advanced LIGO consists of two separated installations, one in Hanford, WA and the other in Livingston, LA. They are funded by the National Science Foundation and operate in unison as a single observatory.

Visit advancedligo.mit.edu
Aerial photo of one of the Advanced LIGO complexes