MIT Scientists Discuss Observing the Dark Universe and Planetary Defense on GBH's 'The Curiosity Desk'

Professors from MIT's School of Science appeared on the science show to talk about the latest advancements in gravitational wave detection and asteroid monitoring.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:54am

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In March, MIT scientists visited the GBH science show 'The Curiosity Desk' to discuss the latest developments in observing the dark universe and preparing for potential asteroid threats. Professor Nergis Mavalvala and Professor Salvatore Vitale talked about the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) and how it is enabling new ways to study the cosmos. Later, Associate Professor Julien de Wit, Artem Burdanov, and Saverio Cambioni joined the show to explain their research on using the James Webb Space Telescope to detect smaller asteroids and the importance of planetary defense.

Why it matters

The discussions on 'The Curiosity Desk' highlight how fundamental scientific research can lead to unexpected technological breakthroughs and applications that benefit humanity. The work on gravitational wave detection and asteroid monitoring not only advances our understanding of the universe, but also has the potential to improve satellite technology and space exploration capabilities.

The details

During the first segment, Mavalvala and Vitale described how the precision instruments of LIGO allow scientists to observe the universe in new ways, including detecting gravitational waves. They explained that the process of building these instruments requires a great deal of innovation and creativity, as there is often no 'off-the-shelf' solution. The scientists also discussed the synergy between theoretical physics and experimental work. In the second segment, de Wit, Burdanov, and Cambioni talked about their research using the James Webb Space Telescope to identify smaller asteroids that could pose a threat to satellites and other space-based infrastructure. They emphasized the importance of planetary defense, noting that even an asteroid striking the moon could create debris that could damage satellites in Earth's orbit.

  • On Thursday, March 12, the LIGO scientists appeared on the show.
  • On Thursday, March 26, the asteroid researchers joined the program.

The players

Nergis Mavalvala

Dean of the MIT School of Science and a physicist who focuses on building precision instruments to study physical phenomena.

Salvatore Vitale

MIT physicist who works on the theoretical side of gravitational wave research and collaborates with experimentalists like Mavalvala.

Julien de Wit

Associate Professor at MIT who studies asteroids and other objects in the solar system using advanced telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope.

Artem Burdanov

Research scientist at MIT who works with de Wit on asteroid detection and planetary defense.

Saverio Cambioni

Research scientist at MIT who collaborates with de Wit and Burdanov on their asteroid research.

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What they’re saying

“When you're making instruments that achieve that kind of precision, you're inventing new technologies. [With LIGO] We've invented vibration isolation technologies to keep our mirrors really still. We've invented lasers that are quieter than any that were ever made before. We've invented photonic techniques that are allowing us to make applications even to far off things like quantum computing.”

— Nergis Mavalvala, Dean, MIT School of Science

“To me, it falls in the category of for the betterment of humankind. You never know what is going to be useful. A lot of fundamental research was very far at the beginning from what turned out to be fundamental applications.”

— Salvatore Vitale, MIT Physicist

“Dinosaurs didn't need to care about an asteroid hitting the moon. Humanity a century ago didn't care. Now, if [an asteroid] hits the moon, a lot of debris will be expelled and all those particles - big and small - they will affect the fleet of satellites around Earth. That's a big potential problem, so we need to take that into account in our future.”

— Artem Burdanov, MIT Research Scientist

What’s next

The MIT scientists will continue their research on gravitational wave detection and asteroid monitoring, with plans to utilize new instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope to further advance their work. Their findings will be shared on future episodes of 'The Curiosity Desk' and in scientific publications.

The takeaway

The discussions on 'The Curiosity Desk' highlight how fundamental scientific research, even in highly specialized fields like gravitational wave physics and planetary defense, can lead to unexpected technological breakthroughs and applications that benefit humanity. By pursuing curiosity-driven science, MIT researchers are not only expanding our understanding of the universe, but also developing new tools and techniques that could have far-reaching impacts on space exploration, satellite technology, and beyond.