Gravitational Waves: new eyes for physics and astronomy Gabriela Gonzalez Department of Physics and Astronomy Louisiana State University Several interferometric gravitational wave detectors around the world are now starting to achieve better sensitivity to gravitational waves than ever before. I will describe the exciting prospects these detectors offer for physics and astronomy and review the rapid progress and present status of the detectors' sensitivities. I will also report on the latest progress made and results obtained by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration in analyzing data produced by the LIGO and GEO detectors during the Collaboration's Science Runs.