The first direct detection of gravitational waves and the new window it opens up to the universe

I will summarize the nature of the gravitational wave signal that was recently detected by LIGO. This is the first direct observation of gravitational waves. It was emitted by two colliding black holes 1.3 billion years ago. In addition to discussing the physics of the observed black hole system, I will discuss what might lie ahead for scientists aiming to use gravitational waves to push the frontiers of physics and astronomy.