Posted on 04/28/2017 1:16:00 PM PDT by Red Badger
UBC math and physics instructor, Ben Tippett. Credit: UBC Okanagan
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After some serious number crunching, a UBC researcher has come up with a mathematical model for a viable time machine.
Ben Tippett, a mathematics and physics instructor at UBC's Okanagan campus, recently published a study about the feasibility of time travel. Tippett, whose field of expertise is Einstein's theory of general relativity, studies black holes and science fiction when he's not teaching. Using math and physics, he has created a formula that describes a method for time travel.
"People think of time travel as something as fiction," says Tippett. "And we tend to think it's not possible because we don't actually do it. But, mathematically, it is possible."
Ever since HG Wells published his book Time Machine in 1885, people have been curious about time travel—and scientists have worked to solve or disprove the theory, he says. In 1915 Albert Einstein announced his theory of general relativity, stating that gravitational fields are caused by distortions in the fabric of space and time. More than 100 years later, the LIGO Scientific Collaboration—an international team of physics institutes and research groups—announced the detection of gravitational waves generated by colliding black holes billions of lightyears away, confirming Einstein's theory.
The division of space into three dimensions, with time in a separate dimension by itself, is incorrect, says Tippett. The four dimensions should be imagined simultaneously, where different directions are connected, as a space-time continuum. Using Einstein's theory, Tippett says that the curvature of space-time accounts for the curved orbits of the planets.
In "flat"—or uncurved—space-time, planets and stars would move in straight lines. In the vicinity of a massive star, space-time geometry becomes curved and the straight trajectories of nearby planets will follow the curvature and bend around star.
"The time direction of the space-time surface also shows curvature. There is evidence showing the closer to a black hole we get, time moves slower," says Tippett. "My model of a time machine uses the curved space-time—to bend time into a circle for the passengers, not in a straight line. That circle takes us back in time."
While it is possible to describe this type of time travel using a mathematical equation, Tippett doubts that anyone will ever build a machine to make it work.
"HG Wells popularized the term 'time machine' and he left people with the thought that an explorer would need a 'machine or special box' to actually accomplish time travel," Tippett says. "While is it mathematically feasible, it is not yet possible to build a space-time machine because we need materials—which we call exotic matter—to bend space-time in these impossible ways, but they have yet to be discovered."
For his research, Tippett created a mathematical model of a Traversable Acausal Retrograde Domain in Space-time (TARDIS). He describes it as a bubble of space-time geometry which carries its contents backward and forwards through space and time as it tours a large circular path. The bubble moves through space-time at speeds greater than the speed of light at times, allowing it to move backward in time.
"Studying space-time is both fascinating and problematic. And it's also a fun way to use math and physics," says Tippett. "Experts in my field have been exploring the possibility of mathematical time machines since 1949. And my research presents a new method for doing it."
Tippett's research was recently published in the IOPscience journal Classical and Quantum Gravity.
Explore further: How Einstein could help unlock the mysteries of space travel
More information: Benjamin K Tippett et al. Traversable acausal retrograde domains in spacetime, Classical and Quantum Gravity (2017). DOI: 10.1088/1361-6382/aa6549
Scott: “What happened sir? You only left a minute ago.” Spock: “We were successful.” The Gaurdian: “Time has resumed it’s shape. All is as it was before. Many such journeys are possible. Let me be your gateway.” Uhura: “Captain, the Enterprise is up there, they want to know if we want to beam up?” Kirk: “Let’s get the hell out of here”. (From the best Star Trek ever, the time travel episode, ‘ The City On The edge Of Forever’, first air date, April 1967).
Ping to #81. Best TV time travel show!
Or, his future self can cause a real conundrum by going back an extra 20 years and giving the data to someone else.....
Got fiction?
What does, “got fiction” mean?
I remember hearing a talk about the possibility of this & teleportation once & the commentator asked if it actually became possible,would there still be a kid somewhere asking....”are we there yet”?
That’s what “time travel” is super genius.
Fictional, government grant funded, Bullshyte.
Hopefully some interesting “math” will fall out of this guy’s work!
String Theory may be a dead end in cosmology but the “math” behind it is finding uses elsewhere, e.g physics of surfaces and other “interfaces”.
Time is a derivative function of state change that progresses relative to E within the inertial frame(s) in which it is observed.
State change always goes forward.
Grant-funded mathemaconartists can’t change that self-evident fact.
I’m sorry but the way you stated that makes no sense.
And new mathematical concepts may have use whether they are physically realizable or not.
I am amazed you can judge his work without having read a single paper produced.
Jealous perhaps?
It make sense just fine to anyone who understands the difference between special relativity and fictional Bullshyte.
I understand both special & general relativity but am willing to listen to someone tell me something new. I will judge its validity only after that.
Then you shouldn’t have any trouble understanding that Time a derivative function of state-change that progresses relative to E within the inertial frames in which it is observed.
And that state change always moves forward.
Not the way you state it!
Do you mean this d(Some State)/dt vs E - energy inside the inertial frames is greater then zero when t- time is greater then zero?
Nope I mean what I said. That T is a function of state-change that progresses relative to E.
Meanwhile, in the space-time of the emperor’s new lavender underwear..
“Most of the published paper is about picking holes in it. so, if anything, the paper says time machines are less possible than ever.”
What does this mean?
I’m done talking to you.
You’re purposely being an pass!
Good post!
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