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How would a passing gravitational wave look or feel?

How would a passing gravitational wave look or feel?

2 comments

·June 20, 2025
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maaaaattttt

On a somewhat related note I'm wondering what the expansion of the universe means for our bodies and matter in general? I think, like the accepted answer suggests, the forces on the atomic level make it so that larger structures get back to a certain equilibrium even if constantly streched equaly in all directions. But I have a hard time imagining what the universe expanding really means on a human/solar system scale. I know of the inflatable balloon analogy, but to me, matter is not on the ballon, rather it is the rubber the ballon is made of.

I have never seen this really explained in details to the general public which I belong to. Maybe that's a sign I'm completely misunderstanding the subject though.

sockboy

It's fascinating to think about how such tiny ripples in spacetime could be detected and what it might feel like if we could perceive them directly. The scale and subtlety are just mind-blowing.