Putting Relativity To The Test, NASA's Gravity Probe B To Reveale If Einstein Was Right

Stanford University ^ | 10/3/2005 | Bob Kahn

[JRios1968]

"All your black holes are belong to us!"

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

With general relativity, Einstein forever changed our Newtonian view of gravity as a force, postulating rather that space and time are inextricably woven into a four-dimensional fabric called spacetime, and that gravity is simply the warping and twisting of the fabric of spacetime by massive celestial bodies.

In order to come up with General Relativity, he had to develop a new branch of mathematics called Differential Geometry.

[JRios1968]

Einstein is what I usually call a "20-lb brain" type. He, together with Stephen Hawking, have changed radically the nature of science in the last 10 years.

[Right Wing Assault]

He, together with Stephen Hawking, have changed radically the nature of science in the last 10 years.

For Einstein, I think we could make that the last 100 years.

[PatrickHenry]

SciencePing

An elite subset of the Evolution list. See the list's explanation at my freeper homepage. Then FReepmail to be added or dropped.

[Hyzenthlay]

I have to agree. Even if this doesn't work, it'll probably be NASA that messed up somewhere.

[Southack]

Arguments that this experiment is theoretically invalid should be made now, prior to the results being released.

Any arguments against this experiment that are delayed until after the results are known should be considered "sour grapes."

...otherwise we should all be prepared to accept their result.

Needless to say, I predict **much** gnashing of teeth and complaining once these results come out.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Yep. It's amazing that all these years later, we're just now getting the technology to test Einstein's theories. And 80+ years after the fact, we're finding out that he was right all along! Here's an example: The Bose - Einstein Condensate

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

No doubt, I trust Einstein more than I trust NASA.

[King Prout]

Gravitation is Just A Theory^tm!

[PatrickHenry]

Here ya go: Warning: Gravity is "Only a Theory".

[AntiGuv]

Gravity is a myth; the Earth sucks.

[King Prout]

I dunno if you have already been pung to this, but I reckon you'd be interested

[RightWhale]

If you are inside Einstein's famous falling room your local space will seem absolutely stationary and free of gravity. If the room is falling past you, the space inside will be moving while your own space will carry the gravitational field. Which is it? That is relativity.

[King Prout]

naw... bazillions of minor angels busily keep objects from floating away.

[King Prout]

excellent parody.
adding it to my favorites file

[JRios1968]

Oops! I missed one "0" thanks for setting it straight.

[PatrickHenry]

A ping you just missed.

[inquest]

Perhaps I'm missing some element, but is that along the same lines as saying that if two objects, in the absence of any gravity, pass each other in space, there's no absolute way of saying that one's stationary, and the other moving?

[Stultis]

Clearly there are "gaps" and "problems" with the theory of relativity. We must teach the controversy. A disclaimer is needed! Roll the presses!!