The Australian Academy of Science champions, celebrates and supports excellence in Australian science, promotes international scientific engagement, builds public awareness and understanding of science and provides independent, authoritative and influential scientific advice.
The first detection of gravitational waves is tightly bound up with the first observation of colliding (and merging) black holes. This opens up the possibility of a new era of physics, astronomy and cosmology in which the enormous energies released from such collisions, and the gravitational waves they generate, can be used as a new space-based laboratory.
It was once said that nothing is certain in life except death and taxes. While the tax office will still get their cut, the grim reaper’s job is looking less secure.
Take a journey with the Australian Academy of Science and see how science has twisted and warped what was once the stuff of make-believe to give us the polymers and plastics that now shape our world.
© 2017 Australian Academy of Science
