Hang Ten
But, like, it's only gravity waves the Silver Surfer rides, right?
Sounds generated deep in the fiery depths of the Sun make Earth, its atmosphere, and even its magnetic field ring like many cosmic bells. SOHO image of the Sun and an artist's impression of Earth's magnetosphere. Credit, NASA/ESA SOHO image of the Sun and an artist's impression of Earth's magnetosphere. Credit: NASA/ESA …
"g-mode vibrations are not optically detectable. But the evidence of the waves is there, and easily detectable, in data on Earth"
Really? I watched Cosmos on BBC2 last night, and there has been built a massive thing to detect gravity waves, which are so weak it is easier to detect a (sea) wave hitting a beach 6 miles away.
They are hoping to detect one in about 2012
You are confusing gravity waves with gravitational waves. Gravitational waves are produced by large (several solar masses) being accelerated to relativistic speeds and it is *hoped* they will be detected from neutron star, coalescing binaries, black hoes and a few other literally cosmic events.
I'm not sure what gravity waves are but they are a different phenomena.
So THAT's what the Preview Comment button is for!
BTW, a quick look at Wikipedia does mention that the terms 'gravity waves' and 'gravitational waves' are often used (incorrectly) interchangeably and gives a good description of both.
I didn't see the BBC2 programme but 2015 sounds like the timeframe for LISA (a space-based detector). I believe that the UK-German GEO600 and US LIGO ground-based detectors are approaching operational sensitivity at present.