For the first time, scientists have directly detected gravitational waves — ripples in space and time — in addition to light from the spectacular collision of two neutron stars. This marks the first time that a cosmic event has been viewed in both gravitational waves and light.

On September 14, 2015 at 5:51 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (09:51 UTC), the twin Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors, located in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington, USA both measured ripples in the fabric of spacetime – gravitational waves – arriving at the Earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe. The new Advanced LIGO detectors had just been brought into operation for their first observing run when the very clear and strong signal was captured. 

LIGO Hanford is located in the Columbia Basin region of Central Washington near the Tri-Cities.  Home to  one of LIGO's two gravitational wave detectors, our facility operates in tandem with LIGO Livingston to listen for the faint whispers of gravitational waves from the most energetic events in the universe.

LIGO Hanford hosts site tours, school field trips and special public events.  Use the menus above to see our tour and event schedules and to learn more about the science and engineering that are driving the search for gravitational waves.