Journalists are invited to join the National Science Foundation as it brings together scientists from Caltech, MIT, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) this Thursday at 10:30 a.m. EST (15:30 UTC/GMT) at the National Press Club for a status report on the effort to detect gravitational waves — or ripples in the fabric of spacetime — using the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO).

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first publication of Albert Einstein’s prediction of the existence of gravitational waves. With interest in this topic piqued by the centennial, the group will discuss their ongoing efforts to observe gravitational waves.

LIGO, a system of two identical detectors carefully constructed to detect incredibly tiny vibrations from passing gravitational waves, was conceived and built by MIT and Caltech researchers, funded by the National Science Foundation, with significant contributions from other U.S. and international partners. The twin detectors are located in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington. Research and analysis of data from the detectors is carried out by a global group of scientists, including the LSC, which includes the GEO600 Collaboration, and the VIRGO Collaboration.

When:
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016
10:30 am US EST (7:30 am US PST, 15:30 UTC/GMT)

Where:
The National Press Club
Holeman Lounge
529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor
Washington, DC 20045

Media RSVP:
Seating is extremely limited, but an overflow room will be available where reporters can still ask questions and have access to additional subject matters to interview after the press conference. Only the first 50 journalists to arrive will be seated in the main room. All interested journalists should RSVP to any of the media contacts listed below to ensure press credentials are prepared ahead of time. A mult box will be available for broadcast media, and the Press Club is equipped with wireless access.

Live Webcast:
For press not based in the Washington, D.C. area, this event will be simulcast live online, and we will try to answer some questions submitted remotely. For details about how to participate remotely, please contact anyone listed below.

Contacts:
Tom Waldman
Caltech
+1 (626) 395-5832, cell: +1 (818) 274-2729
twaldman@caltech.edu

Kimberly Allen
MIT
+1 (617) 253-2702, cell: +1 (617) 852-6094
allenkc@mit.edu

Ivy Kupec
NSF
+1 (703) 292-8796, cell: +1 (703) 225-8216
ikupec@nsf.gov