Today, scientists announced that they have detected a spectacular collision of two neutron stars some 130 million light years away. The method of discovery is also making news: this was the first time ever that a cosmic event was perceived through both gravitational waves — ripples in space and time — and light—confirming Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which predicted that gravitational waves should travel at the speed of light. More than 1,500 scientists around the world collaborated on this breakthrough, using the U.S.-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory or LIGO, the Europe-based Virgo detector, and some 70 ground- and space-based observatories. Museum astrophysicist Michael Shara, who was part of the research team, explains this thrilling discovery in the latest podcast. For a full transcript of this podcast, please visit: https://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/podcasts/a-smashup-of-neutron-stars-einstein-s-theory-of-relativity-with-astrophysics-curator-michael-shara