Open Day at GEO600

All visitors can speak with researchers at the detector site about the current state of gravitational-wave astronomy, the crucial contributions of GEO600 as a think tank of international research, and visit the detector. The first direct observation of gravitational waves in September 2015 opened a new door to a previously hidden side of our Universe. Since then, a total of more than 90 gravitational-wave signals from merging pairs of black holes and neutron stars have been observed. A new era of astronomy has begun. In the current, fourth joint observation run “O4”, the gravitational-wave detectors have been detecting a new signal from the depths of space every two to three days since the end of May 2023. Another 90 possible gravitational-wave signals have already been observed during O4. GEO600 is instrumental in this effort as it develops and tests new technologies for gravitational-wave detection. These are critical to the sensitivity of the Virgo detector in Italy and the LIGO detectors in the US.

At the Open Day, guests will receive first-hand information about basic research and daily work at the GEO600 gravitational-wave detector. Guided tours of the detector site with views into the heart of the highly sensitive measurement facility will be conducted as needed.