Scientists have recently confirmed what legendary physicist Albert Einstein had already theorized a century ago.

Einstein's general theory of relativity had then predicted the presence of gravitational waves. Researchers working with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) found this speculation to be valid as they had finally detected the said waves.

LIGO scientist Szabolcs Marka described the significance of the theory as "like how X-ray changed medicine," as reported by Mashable.

"We have detected gravitational waves. We did it," declared David Reitze of Caltech, LIGO's executive director, during a Washington, D.C. press conference.

The gravitational waves, also known as "ripples" in space-time, were the result of a collision made by two black holes, both at least 30 times bigger than the sun, around 1.3 billion years ago. The waves were detected on Sept. 14, 2015. This breakthrough was only announced this week Thursday as the scientists involved had to evaluate their findings to ensure their accuracy.

Reitze went on to say that the ripples, which travelled rather slowly than usual at half the speed of light, that finally reached Earth affected the space around the planet, stretching and compressing the surrounding space "like Jell-O," as per CNN.

Despite being created by a powerful event, the waves are hard to detect as they were very small. Only an instrument like LIGO can accomplish this as it can measure distortions as small as a thousandth of a proton's size.

The hard evidence of the gravitational waves touted by Reitze was the notable "chirp" that only lasted a fifth of a second.

The scientists had showcased the images of the waves and the audio version of the ripples, which were described by Louisiana State University physics professor Gabriela Gonzalez, who also acted as a LIGO spokesperson, as coming after a "rumbling noise" before culminating to a "chirp," according to The Washington Post.

Those doubting the accuracy of the findings, considering there were previous false identifications in the past, would be given an explanation of how the researchers took pains to ensure that the findings were indeed authentic. They had used a "five-sigma" standard of proof, which the finding passed with flying colors.

"Imagine having never been able to hear before and all you can do is see," said Georgia Tech physicist Deirdre Shoemaker. "Now we can listen to the universe where we were deaf before."

This breakthrough has been said to potentially usher a new wave of discoveries, "opening a window on the universe -- a window of gravitational wave astronomy," Reitze said, as noted by CNN.

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