KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Earlier this year the detection of gravitational waves was confirmed.

This important prediction of Einstein’s theory of general relativity remained a theory for 100 years. Now we know that, again, Einstein was right and these waves really do exist.

Dr. Steven Pollaine, who spent 30 years at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in laser fusion research, is one of Taylor’s most popular lecturers.

His talk at the Taylor Observatory at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 23, is the second this year for this hugely important topic. Pollaine will emphasize the implications of this discovery for physics.

The first of two showings in the planetarium precedes the talk at 7:30 p.m.

Einstein’s theory of relativity made two startling predictions about gravity. One was that a heavy object, such as our sun, would bend light from distant stars. The second was that gravitational waves would be generated when two massive bodies collapsed into each other.

Now, 100 years after the prediction, the second gravitational theory is verified.

The recently detected gravitational wave arose from the collapse of two black holes a billion miles distant from our solar system.

Scientists in the states of Louisiana and Washington simultaneously detected the gravitational waves using a laser apparatus which was funded by the National Science Foundation in 1992, at that time the most expensive NSF project ever.

Taylor’s new policy of free admission for Lake County students in grades K-12 to the monthly Window to the Universe events has been a great success and will continue. For others, tickets are $5. Donations to Taylor are always appreciated.

The Window to the Universe event includes the lecture, a planetarium show and, weather permitting, views of the moon, Mars, Saturn and various deep space objects through Taylor telescopes.

Friends of Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium sponsors Window to the Universe events. Taylor is located at the end of Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville.

For further information phone 415-209-3084, or visit the Friends of Taylor Facebook page.