Einstein's Theory To Go Beta Testing

pinqkandi writes: "This article over at CNN looks into the relativity of Einstein's theory of relativity (pun intended) as equipment becomes more and more precise. Soon atomic clocks will be placed in the International Space Station to analyze the accuracy of Einstein's theories. One of the lead researchers says that if Einstein's theory is not right, it will only need minor adjustments to account for changes in space-time, due to its deadly accurate precision."

Comments

deadly?

[tps12]

Deadly precision? What has space-time done to you lately?

Old methods reapplied

[brejc8]

I remember in the seventies they got two atomic clocks and stuck one on a plane and after two years of the plane flying around aimlessly they found a minute difference
in time.

The joke of it all is that after a year some journalist asked why they didn't just stick it on a regular commercial jet but they didn't think of it at the time.

Re:Old methods reapplied

[John Paul Jones]

Was that MIN-ute or min-UTE?

-JPJ

Too soon to go beta

[Taco Cowboy]

While we might think that we are equipped to carry out the beta test on Einstein's theory, methinks we may not yet be ready.

Practically, what we understand from the Theory of Relativity is what we BELIEVE we understand, and that will influence what type of outcome we are searching for.

Plus, the equipments that we think are ready may not be ready.

Take the Atomic Clocks for instant ... so far, the way we test the atomic clock is under normal condition, and we have NO IDEA how the atomic clock will behave under the relativity condition - that is, the very basic function of the atomic clock, the vibration of the atoms itself, may CHANGE if time itself is change.

After all, the "ticks" of the atomic clock, no matter which type of "atoms" we base it on, still depends on the variable TIME - as "ticks per second".

In other news today...

[meringuoid]

Soon accurate telescopes will be installed to make extremely careful measurements of Mercury's orbit to analyze the accuracy of Newton's theories. One of the lead researchers says that if Newton's theory is not right, it will only need minor adjustments, due to its deadly accurate precision.

So sad

[NiftyNews]

Too bad Einstein isn't around anymore...

He would have made for one heck of a great match on Fox Celebrity Boxing 3 with Stephen Hawking.

"deadly accurate precision."

[skrowl]

Can a clock really be DEADLY accurate? A rifle, a smart bomb, maybe even a rolling pin weilded by an angry wife when her husband comes in late.... THESE can be deadly accurate... I don't think a clock can be.

Re:"Beta testing"?

[jackal!]

This is just another fine-grained test.

Agreed. This whole thing is a lot more like benchmarking. Those geeks want to find a way to squeeze another nanosecond out of reality.

Re:Sad techie/pedant joke

[richie2000]

Qouth from the Young Ones:

-Oh, my goodness, is that the time? (Rik points at Mike's wristwatch)
-No, time is an abstract concept. This is a wristwatch.

But to be truly pedantic, you will have to distinguish between "What's the time?", "What's time?" and "Is it Miller time yet?". ;-)

Re:Zero gravity?

[BreakWindows]

Maybe it's just the way the guy was quoted in the article, but if they need to test in a "zero gravity" environment, how would the ISS be applicable?

I'd consider it a "weightless" environment, but not "zero gravity".

True, but I'm sure they've taken that into account. The problem is, when the results come back a certain way, the same persons responsible for this article will write another about how "Einstein was wrong" because they don't understand what was actually decided here.

It's like testing the lifespan of Goldfish in water. But I didn't have any water, so I used Tequila. By the way, it's 26 seconds, but after about 15 the fish started using emacs. But the example remains the same...you can "prove" or "disprove" anything depending on who's reading it. It's all relative.

Scientist Practical Jokes

[DeadBugs]

I wonder if Scientists ever play practical jokes on each other and sneak into the lab to make the Atomic Clock blink 12:00

Adjustments?

[jbarr]

"One of the lead researchers says that if Einstein's theory is not right, it will only need minor adjustments to account for changes in space-time, due to its deadly accurate precision."

You mean like e=mc2+1?