ABSTRACT
Gravitational radiation is a central prediction of general relativity and its detection is a key test of the integrity of the theoretical structure of Einstein’s work. However, in the long run, its importance as a tool for observational astronomy is likely to be even more important. We have excellent observational evidence from the Hulse-Taylor binary pulsar system (described in chapter 4) that the predictions of general relativity concerning gravitational radiation are quantitatively correct. However, we have incomplete information from astronomy today about the likely sources of detectable radiation.
