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How LIGO Detects Gravitational Waves

Veritasium · Explainer · 9 min · 2017 · YouTube title: The Absurdity of Detecting Gravitational Waves
Why it's here

HN recommends it as a good layperson explanation of how LIGO's detection works and why it is so hard.

What it covers

Veritasium explains in detail how LIGO detects gravitational waves, with a laser interferometer measuring displacements smaller than a proton. The video focuses on the extreme precision and the techniques needed rather than the general discovery story.