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Satellite To Test Relatively

Posted by Hemos on from the testing-the-theories dept.

dude_from_munich writes "Einstein proposed in 1916 that space and time form a structure that can be curved by the presence of a body. Scientists are finally planning to put Einstein's theory of relativity to test after a project delay of 44 years."

7 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. Relatively speaking. by p4ul13 · · Score: 3, Funny

    First post; but only because I'm moving slower than you.

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    Paul Lenhart writes words!
  2. A quick look at TFA quickly shows.... by Jonas+the+Bold · · Score: 4, Informative

    That this is exactly the same as this story.

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    Everything seemed to be going so nice
    'till the end of all beings punched right through the ice
  3. What if it fails by squiggleslash · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Supposed the experiment runs exactly as planned, there are no apparent flaws with any of the equipment, no problems with the theory behind the experiment... and the results contradict the theory of relativity.

    What happens then?

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    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    1. Re:What if it fails by lambent · · Score: 5, Funny

      We finally get an excuse to throw that einstein bastard out on his ear. I don't know about you, but i'm getting pretty tired of that know-it-all being right ALL the freaking time.

    2. Re:What if it fails by AS400+Hacker · · Score: 3, Funny

      Buildings collapse, bridges fall, the earth crashes into the sun.

      Shit like that.

  4. Eddington's proof by jedigeek · · Score: 5, Informative

    As usual the BBC's article is scant on details. There's no mention of Arthur Eddington's (1919) proof of relativity which proved gravity caused light to bend. However,

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/04/040 40 5091215.htm

    Is more interesting.

  5. Of course GTR has been confirmed many times by aminorex · · Score: 3, Insightful
    The article as phrased suggests that GTR is hitherto unconfirmed by observational data. That is not the case: The aspects of the General Theory of Relativity which are addressed by this experiment are consistent with experimental data for the perihelion of Mercury which actually predated and motivated the General Theory, and are confirmed every day by gravitational lensing effects used very practically by astronomers, as recently reported here on slashdot.

    It's a popular Senior or Graduate physics exercise to design experiments demonstrating GTR -- and a somewhat more ambitious exercise to perform them. This one is notably primarily for being bloody expensive and having blown it's schedule by such a honking big margin.

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