Expert: Jayendra Upadhye - 3/5/2008

Question
Does the velocity of propagation of gravitational waves change when they pass though a massive medium (e.g. a galaxy) as do light waves when they pass through matter, analogous to the index of refraction for electromagnetic waves?  A reference to a discussion of this subject would be most helpful.

Answer
Hi,
That should happen! especially since they expect these waves to be even plane polarised! like ordinary light.
Plus the formula for electromagnetic radiation,
Energy = h*(frequency) where h is plancke's constant
[this is my assumption as they are "like" electromagnetic radiation but "are not".
[check that out on your own].
and
C = frequencey * (wave length) also holds good.
[certified by the wiki site in so many words and actual equation.
see references].

Mind you the wave lengths are 40 eartgh radii etc!

It is ultra low frequency radiation..

references:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_wave

please do rate the answer.

regards
Jayen