The physics world erupted with joy and wonder on Thursday morning, when scientists from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) confirmed the existence of gravitational waves. This will easily be the science story of the year, so people are naturally freaking out.
Even the anticipation was outrageous:
Totally chill, just hanging out waiting for the- I AM NOT CHILL I AM VERY EXCITED AND DOING A LOT OF PACING IN FRONT OF THIS LAPTOP.
— Robert McNees (@mcnees) February 11, 2016
This is what a bunch of excited scientist looks like:
There is some #LIGO excitement in the room! pic.twitter.com/8ctaSyK4p5
— Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) February 11, 2016
Once the announcement became official, everybody really flipped out. In general, though, the physics commmunity and the science world as a whole is just pumped about this Nobel Prize-worthy discover. Some folks are somewhat speechless:
Holy crap what a beautiful plot. I'm a bit verklempt. #LIGO pic.twitter.com/SXNYMWJpMN
— Sean Carroll (@seanmcarroll) February 11, 2016
Some used big words like “pandemonium”:
Pandemonium @Caltech. "We have detected gravitational waves." #LIGO
— John Preskill (@preskill) February 11, 2016
Some made jokes:
Sure, detection of gravitational waves at LIGO is cool, but did you know that I can use 2 yo-yos at the same time? #PayAttentionToMEEE
— skullsinthestars (@drskyskull) February 11, 2016
Some gave thanks:
https://twitter.com/embed/status/697812688622194688
Some promoted their blogs:
Listen to the detected #gravitationalwaves on my blog: https://t.co/Jzz7wU5B9B
— Dr. Amber L. Stuver (@livingligo) February 11, 2016
Some provided helpful links to the full academic research paper:
https://twitter.com/embed/status/697810397764710401
Some wrote poems?
https://twitter.com/embed/status/697806254530555904
Some were speechless:
Quiet news day on the @BBCNews Channel. pic.twitter.com/7GzGhOAEBW
— Jon Ironmonger (@JonIronmonger) February 11, 2016
But really, we are all SarcasticRover:
Really excited about gravitational waves because now there's one more thing I don't understand about the universe.
— SarcasticRover (@SarcasticRover) February 11, 2016
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