Posted on 02/08/2016 7:24:43 PM PST by BenLurkin
February 11, 10:30 EST, there will be a big press conference about gravitational waves by the people running the gravitational wave detector LIGO. It's a fair bet that they will announce the first direct detection of gravitational waves, predicted by Albert Einstein 100 years ago. If all goes as the scientists hope, this will be the kick-off for an era of gravitational wave astronomy: for learning about some of the most extreme and violent events in the cosmos by measuring the tiny ripples of space distortions that emanate from them.
In the words of the eminent relativist John Wheeler, Einstein’s theory of general relativity can be summarized in two statements: Matter tells space and time how to curve. And (curved) space and time tell matter how to move. (Here is a slightly longer version on Einstein Online.)
Einstein published the final form of his theory in November 1915. By spring 1916, he had realized another consequence of distorting space and time: general relativity allows for gravitational waves, rhythmic distortions which propagate through space at the speed of light.
For quite some time, physicists weren't sure whether these gravitational waves were real or a mathematical artifact within Einstein's theory. (For more about this controversy, see Daniel Kennefick's book “Traveling at the Speed of Thought and this article.) But since the 1980s, there has been indirect evidence for these waves (which earned its discoverers a Nobel prize, no less, in 1993).
In the words of the eminent relativist John Wheeler, Einstein’s theory of general relativity can be summarized in two statements: Matter tells space and time how to curve. And (curved) space and time tell matter how to move. (Here is a slightly longer version on Einstein Online.)
(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...
I will be polite, and not say what that reminds me of. :-)
Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world.
Peristalsis? Or so my faded memory of HS physiology says?
Folds space, connects for time travel.
I play electric guitar, sometimes naked, but never in the shower!
Is this taken into consideration when we launch vehicles into space, i.e. vehicles are effected not by where the sun and planets are now, but where they were when the effects of the gravitational field finally reach the vehicle?
some sort of sexual stimulation device?
It’s a chinese finger puzzle!
bttt
Bookmark
First, Thank You. Now I can go back and read the article.
I’m still trying to calculate the speed of thought which, for me, is rather slow.
Thinking is the best way to travel.
Han Solo Made the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Bingo!
Or rather, Bean Burrito.
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