Gravity 'ripples' hunt upgraded

[Rick]

The next phase in physics' great 21st century quest - to detect gravitational waves - has been approved.

More than $200m (£100m) is to be spent upgrading the US Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatories.

Ligo is hunting for ripples predicted to be seen in the fabric of space-time when extreme cosmic events occur, such as the merger of super-dense stars.

Confirmation of the waves' existence should open up new ways to study the mysteries of the Universe.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7348653.stm