‘Gravitational Waves’ Researcher to Speak on April 27

LINCROFT, NJ (April 13, 2016) – Community members of all ages are invited to a special presentation by Montclair State University physicist and gravitational waves researcher Marc Favata at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

Favata is a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, an international collective of researchers that announced the first observation of gravitational waves – or ripples in the fabric of space-time – in February 2016.

During the program, Favata will discuss his role in the LIGO research effort and the significance of gravitational waves, which are caused by collisions of black holes or neutron stars. He will also discuss the potential impacts of LIGO’s landmark observation.

“The detection of these waves confirms a key prediction of Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity and opens up a new way of ‘listening’ to the universe,” said Favata.

The program, sponsored by Brookdale’s Physics and Astronomy Club and the Brookdale Physics Department, will be held in the college’s Student Life Center, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. It is free and open to all. Parking is in lots 6 and 7. For more information call Michelle Paci at 732-224-2413 or email mpaci@brookdalecc.edu.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Favata to Brookdale for this unique presentation,” said Brookdale physics department chair Nancy Lui. “This thrilling discovery not only confirms Einstein’s theory, but it gives us a new way to observe, research and analyze the universe.”