Explore the groundbreaking field of gravitational wave astronomy in this 1-hour 41-minute lecture by Dr. Andrew Fruchter from the Space Telescope Science Institute. Delve into the technology and physics behind detecting gravitational waves, and discover how this new field has revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Learn about the observation of merging black holes and neutron stars, including the discovery of unexpectedly large stellar mass black holes. Understand the significance of neutron star mergers in producing heavy elements in the universe. Gain insights into Einstein's General Relativity, pulsars, and the workings of gravitational wave detectors. This comprehensive talk, hosted by Dr. Frank Summers at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, covers recent Nobel Prize-winning research and its implications for our knowledge of dense cosmic objects and the fabric of spacetime.