Read the excerpt below and answer the question:
"Pulsar timing arrays detect gravitational waves by tracking nanosecond irregularities in radio pulses emitted by rotating neutron stars across the galaxy. As a low-frequency gravitational wave from colliding supermassive black holes passes across Earth, it stretches and compresses spacetime, subtly altering the expected arrival time of pulses across cosmic distances."
How do pulsar timing arrays detect gravitational waves?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. by measuring tiny spacetime variations in the arrival times of radio pulses
- Step 1: Locate the detection principle in the text: arrays track 'nanosecond irregularities in radio pulses emitted by rotating neutron stars' caused as gravitational waves stretch and compress spacetime, 'altering the expected arrival time of pulses'.
- Step 2: Detection relies on monitoring minute timing deviations of galactic radio pulses.
Answer
by measuring tiny spacetime variations in the arrival times of radio pulses.
Why not the others: 'by capturing high-energy gamma rays emitted during volcanic core eruptions' describes nuclear astronomy or geology; 'by bouncing artificial radar signals off approaching interstellar asteroids' describes planetary radar; 'by measuring localized seismic vibrations in deep subterranean mines' describes terrestrial seismology.
Practise more Advanced Academic Discourse, Environmental Sciences, and Critical Synthesis.
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