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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/astro-gravitational-wave-strain

What does gravitational-wave strain measure?

Strain is the fractional change in length.

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  1. Relative length change ✔
  2. Absolute mirror mass
  3. Laser color shift only

Why: A passing gravitational wave stretches and squeezes spacetime. Interferometers report the induced length change divided by the original length, a dimensionless quantity called strain.

Huh, didn't know that: Multiple detectors help distinguish a real correlated signal from local noise.

The dad joke
Spacetime felt strained after stretching all day.
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References

Answer: Relative length change. A passing gravitational wave stretches and squeezes spacetime. Interferometers report the induced length change divided by the original length, a dimensionless quantity called strain.

  1. LIGO Detector Noise Guide ligo.org/science-summaries/dataanalysisguide
    strain, or relative change in length
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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