About a century ago, everyone’s favorite theoretical physicist Albert Einstein predicted the presence of gravitational waves. In his theory of general relativity, Einstein provided clues on indirect evidence for their existence.

On September 14, 2015, the Livingston, Louisiana-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), proved that the science legend was right about ripples in the curvature of spacetime which propagate as waves. It was the first time when gravitational waves were detected directly. Now, the science community is hopeful that Einstein’s 100-year-old Einstein's general theory of relativity will revolutionize the field of observational astrophysics.

The LIGO observed gravitational waves last year, but the discovery was announced on February 11. For the first time, researchers revealed direct evidence of the ripples in the space-time fabric from a collision of two black holes.

“You're opening your eyes – in this case, our ears – to a new set of signals from the universe that our previous technologies did not allow us to receive, study and learn from”, said Vassiliki Kalogera, a research team member at LIGO and a professor at the Northwestern University in Illinois.

With the new discovery, humanity will get a fresh look at the universe, said physicist Brian Greene. Now, astronomers will be able to observe the universe in an interesting way, not using light, but using gravity, Greene added.

Einstein’s famous general theory of relativity, which was featured about 100 years ago, explained that spacetime is a single dynamic entity. It also predicts the presence of phenomena, such as black holes and gravitational waves. In theory, Einstein not only discarded Newtonian’s theory, but also suggested that space is not a mere canvas.

Since 1916, many scientists and astronomers tested Einstein's theory of relativity, but they couldn’t observe signs of gravitational waves directly.