Variable, Not Constant: Speed Of Light Theory Challenging Einstein’s Physics Can Now Be Tested

Tech Times ^ | 27 November 2016, 1:16 am EST | Dianne Depra

[BenLurkin]

Researchers suggesting that the speed of light varies have come up with a numerical prediction that will allow their theory to be tested.

Many theories in physics are built upon the idea that the speed of light is at a constant rate, but João Magueijo and Niayesh Afshordi think otherwise. In a paper published in the journal Physical Review D, they detailed the creation of an exact figure on the spectral index, a model that can be used to determine if their theory is valid or not.

All structures in the universe today were created when fluctuations occurred in the early universe. The spectral index is the record of these fluctuations that is now integrated into the cosmic microwave background.

The figure that Magueijo and Afshordi came up with is 0.96478 precise, which is extremely close to the currently used estimated readings of 0.968, give or take some margin for error, gathered from the cosmic microwave background. A Radical Physics Idea

Magueijo and Afshordi's theory that the speed of light is variable was first proposed back in the late ‘90s. It was considered as radical at the time but now that a numerical method of prediction has been developed, the theory has turned into something that physicists can validate for themselves.

"The theory ... has now reached a maturity point... If true, it would mean that the laws of nature were not always the same as they are today," said Magueijo.

[Sgt_Schultze]

Don’t know why it needs to be tested. Just submit it to a prestigious journal and then ask around to see how many scientists agree with this idea. That’s how science is settled nowadays.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

So, I guess we don’t know what we think we know, and we REALLY don’t know all the rest.

Didn’t you get the memo?

The Science is Settled™

[jafojeffsurf]

“Don’t know why it needs to be tested. Just submit it to a prestigious journal and then ask around to see how many scientists agree with this idea. That’s how science is settled nowadays.”

Ain’t that the sad truth of the day! True That, Science by conciseness is Not Science...

God Bless

[Fai Mao]

João Magueijo and Niayesh Afshordi are names of white guys. It is racism to not believe them

[the_daug]

The Atomic Constants, Light, and Time

by BARRY SETTERFIELD

and

TREVOR NORMAN

© August 1987

PREPARED FOR:

Lambert T. Dolphin

Senior Research Physicist

[al baby]

At that speed, light from the sun would reach the earth in about 1.69 million hours or 193 years. Good suggestion.

No worries the sun has light streaming 24 7 so no whoop

[spintreebob]

All structures in the universe today were created

I thought that word was banned from safe spaces. How can scientists safely pursue answers when the word created is used so casually?

[calljack]

Thanks, that cleared it up.

[mlo]

"Then he said “But this may be a local phenomenon”."

Cite where he said that.

[Larry Lucido]

When I’m driving, the speed of the light from my headlight changes.

[Vaquero]

But but.....it's the law

[fella]

"If the speed of light changes, is light speed still the cosmic speed limit?"

It all relates to if it's passing through a school zone or a small town.

[Larry Lucido]

But then all the sunlight would get sucked into the jetstream.

Which would be pretty cool.

[conserv8]

Light is energy.

It’s speed is the rate of it’s propagation.

Apparently the Big Bang was quite an event.

Any ballistics expert can tell you, the more energy expanded, the faster the ballistic.

Energy can not propagate without a medium!

Once the medium was established, the speed of light moderated to a constant determined by the medium.

[hoosierham]

Sounds travel at different speeds in different media,why is the idea of light doing the same controversial?

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Surprisingly, it does not.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

I predict that if true, there is a backwater system out there with a cosmic speed trap for out of town visitors...

[fella]

I’ve never really thought of a school zone as a media but with threat of cops, tickets and courts, it sounds logical in a “Baby Huey” kind of way.

[Crucial]

Physicists sometimes change the facts to fit the theory when they can’t change the theory to fit the facts.

[conserv8]

We are viewing “secondary events” resulted from the primary that are constrained by the medium of “space” which occur ‘time” that is relative to our distinctive and respective aspects of observation.