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Hubble Too Sharp? Quantum Theory Flaws?
sckienle writes "Space.com has an article suggesting that the Hubble space telescope's pictures are too sharp. At least they are based on current interpretations of quantum theory. When viewing distant objects, 'the expected quantum effect is like a subtle version of the blurring caused by Earth's atmosphere, which makes stars twinkle.' But those effects do not seem to be present. The research will be published April 10 in the journal Astrophysical Research-Letters."
because they don't know why.
fucktard is a tenderhearted description
It's bad because the way Quantum theory is currently structured, it should be impossible for the image to be that clear. This observation basically threatens to turn all of quantum physics on it's ear.
Of course, you could RTFA and get the exact same info. (3rd paragraph, to save you the trouble of reading the "whole thing")
=Smidge=
The problems with quantum theory seem to have come with some of the proposed properties of a merger with general relativity. In other words, this isn't going to affect non-relativistic quantum mechanics or even QED, except insofar as those theories are already incomplete or incorrect. Briefly, the scientists looked at Hubble photographs for signs of the quantization of space and time expected by many working on general relativity/quantum theory mergers, and didn't find any evidence of it. Interesting, if true, but not earth-shattering yet.
If you are interested in actually reading the papers, they can be found on the arXiv.org e-Print archive, and directly here and here. I would suggest the first article - the math doesn't look so hairy.