Corey Gray Picks Up Cosmic Vibrations

Corey Gray experienced a significant personal event starting with a powwow in Alberta and ending with a landmark moment in science. He contributed to the first detection of gravitational waves resulting from the collision of two neutron stars.

Gray worked the night shift at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in Hanford, Washington, when this notable signal was identified. He shared his experience with Regina G. Barber, Short Wave’s Scientist-in-Residence, discussing the discovery, the “Gravitational Wave Grass Dance Special” that occurred before the event, and how he acquired his Blackfoot name.

This episode was created by producer Devan Schwartz, with edits by Gabriel Spitzer, and verified by fact-checker Abē Levine.