[gradi3nt]

So that's wayyyyyyy outside our galaxy? Any idea how many galaxies fit into a 1 billion ly sphere around the milky way? I'm guessing a shit ton, which makes the detection of a bh merger seem more realistic to me.

That's some serious range!

[jballanc]

It was mentioned during the press conference today that gravitational waves are not affected by interstellar/intergalactic dust the same way light is. In theory, once our detectors are good enough we should be able to use gravitational wave astronomy to peer all the way back to the big bang!

[nerfhammer]

So, we'll finally be able to hear what god said at the start of the universe?

[ddalex]

This is a beautiful premise for a mind bending book.

[mikeash]

I'm sure He either said "let there be light" or "gee, that's funny...."

[mattmanser]

I'd prefer either "what does this button do?" or "shit, don't press that!".

[mikeash]

Those are what you get when you figure out how to construct a machine that looks to the future and can hear what God says at the end of the universe.

[astrodust]

"I clicked print and nothing happened!"