Major Einstein Theory Proven Correct — and Theorist Says the Discovery Is as Important as Galileo's Telescope

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Scientists say they have finally detected gravitational waves - the ripples in the fabric of space-time that Einstein predicted a century ago.

Volume 2, Page 114, Picture 6, Portrait of German born US physicist and mathematician Albert Einstein (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)

The announcement has electrified the world of physics and astronomy. Scientists say the finding opens a new way of observing the cosmos.

For many years, scientists have had indirect evidence of the existence of gravitational waves rippling across the universe.

But now, an all-star international team of astrophysicists using an excruciatingly sensitive, $1.1 billion instrument has actually detected one of these waves from the distant crash of two black holes.

One theorist says the feat ranks along Galileo taking up a telescope and looking at the planets.

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