What detecting gravitational waves means for the expansion of the universe

Speed of spacetime ripples rules out some alternatives to dark energy

colliding neutron stars

BANG, FLASH  Light waves and gravitational waves from a pair of colliding neutron stars reached Earth at almost the same time, ruling out theories about the universe based on predictions that the two kinds of waves might travel at different speeds. 

Illustration by Robin Dienel courtesy of the Carnegie Institution for Science

Ripples in spacetime travel at the speed of light.