On: A major upgrade of the LIGO gravitational-wave detector is almost complete

[rghn]

I actually got a chance to tour the LIGO facility in Louisiana recently. They have an open house "Science Saturday" that, while somewhat kid oriented, is pretty well put together. The control room was particularly fun to look around in and I'd recommend a visit if in the area.

[mdturnerphys → rghn]

Hanford (Washington state) tours: http://www.ligo-wa.caltech.edu/informal.html

Livingston (Louisiana) tours: http://www.ligo-la.caltech.edu/SEC.html

[muaddirac → rghn]

I went there in college (went for the physics, stayed for the fun science room) - what I remember most was an exceptionally well-built Chladni plate that you could control.

[ISL → muaddirac]

Whoa; hadn't heard of a Chladni plate before.

Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRFysSAxWxI

Can't find one of anything at Livingston or Hanford, though.

At Hanford, they have one of Weber's original bar detectors in the visitor's center lobby... So cool.

http://www.ligo.caltech.edu/LIGO_web/0312news/0312one.html