Scientists attempt to measure speed of gravity

spaceflightnow.com ^ | 5 SEP 02 | staff

[Wurlitzer]

"Offhand, it sounds like a rather complex calculation to me, involving the expected displacement of light coming from the quasar at various moments in time during which the gravitational effect should be observable, and given the known information about Jupiter's gravitational force, the speed of light, etc. "

I think you nailed it.

[RightWhale]

Do you think these students are smart enough to figure all of this out?

Yes, and much more.

[ArGee]

Sound like "its gravity will cause the quasar's apparent position in the sky to shift by a distance that depends on the speed of gravity" would be a more fair statement.

I would posit that it's apparent position in the sky and its position in the sky are the same thing, since "in the sky" is only a particular reference frame based on a particular observation point - that of within earth's atmosphere.

Why do work when I can sit around picking at nits? ;)

Shalom.

[Steely Tom]

Speed of light not constant.

Speed of light is independent of the speed of the observer.

I'm sure this concept went over the author's head.

(steely)

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[RightWhale]

By speed, do they mean the rate at which the gravitational pull of an object reaches a given point?

I think they mean something like this:
If you have a [really] super-massive object in a box on the planet Jupiter, constrained so it cannot move and then somehow set it vibrating [send it into orbit around Jupiter,] how long will it take for the vibration to be detected at some distance [on earth] using only the pull of its gravity to measure the motion?

[jpsb]

It is my understanding that quasars are extremely distant from our solar system, (billions of light years), and that nobody really knows what a quasar is, other then a very bright object (as much enery as an extire galaxcy) that existed early in the formation of the universe.

How Jupiter's gravity is going to effect a quasar is beyond me. Sure wish that had been explained in this article.

[ArGee]

Therefore, gravity has no speed, it is a universal constant. IMHO

Well, while we're throwing unsupported theories around, what do you think about this:

There are no attractive forces in the universe. Matter has, as part of its intrinsic nature, energy constantly streaming out from it in all directions evenly when not near other matter. Since the distribution is even, the matter is not impacted. However, the presence of other matter causes this energy field to be unevenly distributed such that energy does not stream in the direction of the other matter. This uneven distribution causes the objects to move toward each other.

A similar concept applies to magnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear bonds.

Now that this energy field has been identified, it is an exercise for the student to devise and experiment to detect this field and fully describe its behavior.

The Nobel committee can FReepmail me if it needs to contact me.

Shalom.

[AdA$tra]

Further proof that "Speed Kills."

[mikegi]

I assume you'll graciously accept a co-recipient on your Nobel prize. LeSage, in the late 1700's, came up with the "push" model of gravity. Gives the correct inverse square relationship. Unfortunately, you have to explain why things keep moving (ie. have inertia) under this continual bombardment.

Personally, I prefer the polarizable vacuum theory.

[RightWhale]

How Jupiter's gravity is going to effect a quasar

Even though quasars are certainly far outside the solar system and totally beyond any measureable effect from Jupiter's gravity, the light emitted from the quasar and passing near Jupiter to us on earth can be affected by Jupiter's gravity.

[general_re]

Well, while we're throwing unsupported theories around, what do you think about this:

I think it's unsupported. However, you won't have to share your award - the Nobel prize is never awarded posthumously ;)

[mykej]

Why are they allowed to teach this "gravity" trash in public schools? It is just a theory after all.

[Southack]

"However, you won't have to share your award - the Nobel prize is never awarded posthumously"

Tell that to Mr. Nobel... :-)

Southack's guess? Gravity bends light. Light doesn't bend gravity.

Ergo, gravity is a GREAT DEAL faster than light.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Isn't FR great? We can discuss the speed of gravity and the attempted assassination in Afghanistan at the same time.

And if the assassination consisted of somebody kidnapping the target and dropping him/her from a tall building, the two topics could be said to be related...

[Physicist]

Existing thread.

[varon]

Scientists attempt to measure speed of gravity

Before they devote too much time to the above, why don't they finish deciding which is heavier, a pound of lead or a pound of feathers ;-)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks for confirming my notion. I'm sure the concept of the speed of gravity was never mentioned when I took physics in high school. Wonder why.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Hey, this being Free Republic after all, I'm disappointed the thread has gone this far without some wag saying it, so I will:

If, for example, Hillary's butt were placed in the middle of Times Square, the speed of gravity would permit us to calculate how long it would take for the gravitational rays to reach The Empire State building and cause it to lean, slightly but perceptibly, in her direction.