Posted on 07/23/2009 3:26:56 PM PDT by anymouse
Scientists funded by the European Space Agency believe they may have measured the gravitational equivalent of a magnetic field for the first time in a laboratory. Under certain special conditions the effect is much larger than expected from general relativity and could help physicists to make a significant step towards the long-sought-after quantum theory of gravity.
Just as a moving electrical charge creates a magnetic field, so a moving mass generates a gravitomagnetic field. According to Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, the effect is virtually negligible. However, Martin Tajmar, ARC Seibersdorf Research GmbH, Austria, and colleagues believe they have measured the effect in a laboratory.
Their experiment involves a ring of superconducting material rotating up to 6 500 times a minute. Superconductors are special materials that lose all electrical resistance at a certain temperature. Spinning superconductors produce a weak magnetic field, the so-called London moment. The new experiment tests a conjecture that explains the difference between high-precision mass measurements of Cooper-pairs (the current carriers in superconductors) and their prediction via quantum theory. They have discovered that this anomaly could be explained by the appearance of a gravitomagnetic field in the spinning superconductor (This effect has been named the Gravitomagnetic London Moment by analogy with its magnetic counterpart).
Small acceleration sensors placed at different locations close to the spinning superconductor, which has to be accelerated for the effect to be noticeable, recorded an acceleration field outside the superconductor that appears to be produced by gravitomagnetism. "This experiment is the gravitational analogue of Faraday's electromagnetic induction experiment in 1831.
It demonstrates that a superconductive gyroscope is capable of generating a powerful gravitomagnetic field, and is therefore the gravitational counterpart of the magnetic coil. Depending on further confirmation, this effect could form the basis for a new technological domain, which would have numerous applications in space and other high-tech sectors" says ESA study manager Clovis de Matos. Although just 100 millionths of the acceleration due to the Earth’s gravitational field, the measured field is a surprising one hundred million trillion times larger than Einstein’s General Relativity predicts. Initially, the researchers were reluctant to believe their own results.
Before anyone else posts the obvious response; yes, it is a heavy subject. ;)
Nah, these threads send me off on tangents in my thinking.
It’s has me wonderin’ what the effect would have on other predicted behaviors in space-time.
Artificial Gravity.
Very interesting.
I start wondering about propulsion possibilities.
How about a rethinking of the Big Bang?
parsy, who read one guy who said electromagnetic fields and plasma was what was going on.
Cities In Flight...
Thinking,send San Franciso out first
Like SPASMOS Carl Sagan would say: Billions and billions.
Yeah yeah, magnetized gravitation— antigravity - - - bad science fiction
Nikola! You were born too soon! You’d be havin’ a blast right now!
Hate to say it, read the book. See my tagline.
You said — Interesting possibilities.
—
Yes, indeed. I can envision the first houses built with artificial gravity and all the furniture is on the ceiling... LOL...
bump for later read
Stuff like, "They have discovered that this anomaly could be explained by..." and "...appears to be produced by gravitomagnetism."
That sort of vagueness is at odds with their dramatic conclusion: "It demonstrates that a superconductive gyroscope is capable of generating a powerful gravitomagnetic field, and is therefore the gravitational counterpart of the magnetic coil."
Now, they might be right ... but I think I'll wait for confirmation.
Blish - one of my favorites. Anti-gravity is next!
I know what you’re saying but I enjoy this stuff just for the theoretical thinking it sends me off on.
Or perhaps the analogue of cold fusion in 1989.
Bah! I’ll tell you what you can do with your “general relativity”! Aristotle’s physics works for me.
You thinking what I’m thinking?
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