May 12, 2025

Gravitational-wave astronomy at ETH Zürich

The first detection of gravitational waves in 2015 opened a new window onto the universe — allowing scientists to observe black hole mergers and other cosmic phenomena through the fabric of space-time itself. Ten years later, gravitational-wave astronomy has grown into a mature and dynamic field, and ETH Zürich is proud to be at the forefront of this scientific frontier.

ETH Zürich | Space is excited to welcome Prof. Michele Vallisneri as Professor of Gravitational Physics in the Department of Physics and a core contributor to the ETH Space initiative. A pioneer in the field, Vallisneri brings deep experience from his work with LIGO, NANOGrav, and the upcoming space-based LISA mission, led by the European Space Agency and launching in 2035.

In a recent interview, he reflects on the groundbreaking 2015 discovery, the future of gravitational-wave detectors in space, and his new role as head of the Swiss Data Centre for LISA. His arrival marks a significant step for Switzerland’s growing leadership in gravitational physics and space-based research.

Read the full interview to learn more about how ETH Zürich is helping shape the next chapter of gravitational-wave exploration: https://www.phys.ethz.ch/news-and-events/d-phys-news/2025/04/ten-years-of-gravitational-wave-detections.html