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Reflected Gravitational Waves

Posted by kdawson on from the could-prove-useful dept.

WSOGMM sends in an arXiv blog post about reflecting gravity waves. The speculation is that reflected gravity could go some ways toward explaining the odd readings being returned by Gravity Probe B. "In the couple of weeks since he introduced the idea that superconducting sheets can reflect gravity waves, Raymond Chiao from the University of California, Merced, has been busy with a couple of buddies working out how big this effect is... Chiao and co. ask how big the effect of a gravitational wave on a thin superconducting sheet is compared to the effect on an ordinary conducting sheet. The answer? 42 orders of magnitude bigger."

7 of 329 comments (clear)

  1. We now know the question to the answer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Douglas Adams gave us that answer forever ago.

    1. Re:We now know the question to the answer... by SlashV · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's already happened several times, actually.

      42 times, most likely.

  2. Cue the Douglas Adams references! by bonch · · Score: 4, Funny

    Attention wannabe comedians:

    There is a 42 reference in this story. This your cue...this is your chance..the spotlight is on you to bring humor to the world and make countless references to Douglas Adams. Because he mentioned the number 42 in a book!

    1. Re:Cue the Douglas Adams references! by Yvanhoe · · Score: 4, Funny

      They are beowulf clusters of anti-lulz.

      --
      The Wise adapts himself to the world. The Fool adapts the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the Fool.
  3. Re:Possible correlation? by mrvan · · Score: 4, Funny

    [posting to correct misclick on moderation]

    Yeah those moments are what you do it for... that and tenure :-)

  4. Re:Reflected gravitational waves can be useful by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 5, Funny

    And if you can amplify it, then maybe you could weaponise it

    So the plan is to make soldiers heavier so they feel fat and too depressed to fight? Fiendish...

    --
    Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.
  5. Re:So... by K'Lyre · · Score: 4, Funny

    McFly you bozo. Those boards don't work on water unless you've got POWER! hehehehe