I just read the paper regarding the experiment with Neutrinos apparently traveling faster than light, and looking at the geometry of the experiment: Neutrinos traveling from West to East through rock in the Earth's crust (i.e. traveling with the rotation of the Earth) and the fact that they are relying on GPS systems with a common view point on a satellite in space, it appears that Frame Dragging might be the cause of the result...
Read this Extract from Wikipedia regarding Frame Dragging:
"Frame dragging effects
Rotational frame-dragging (the Lense–Thirring effect) appears in the general principle of relativity and similar theories in the vicinity of rotating massive objects. Under the Lense–Thirring effect, the frame of reference in which a clock ticks the fastest is one which is revolving around the object as viewed by a distant observer. This also means that light traveling in the direction of rotation of the object will move past the massive object faster than light moving against the rotation, as seen by a distant observer. It is now the best-known effect, partly thanks to the Gravity Probe B experiment. Qualitatively, frame-dragging can be viewed as the gravitational analog of electromagnetic induction."
The point is that the Dragging effect happens to differing degrees depending on its proximity to mass. As the Neutrinos passed through the rock (i.e in very close proximity to the rotating mass) there may be scope for an error in the Frame Dragging calculation, especially if GPS assumes signals traveling through space.
Perhaps if a similar experiment was carried out on Neutrinos traveling from East to West, rather than West to East, then a travel time of 60us slower than light speed would be recorded, rather than the 60us faster than light speed of the experiment just performed!
Regards,
Declan Traill
Slashdot Mirror
I just read the paper regarding the experiment with Neutrinos apparently traveling faster than light, and looking at the geometry of the experiment: Neutrinos traveling from West to East through rock in the Earth's crust (i.e. traveling with the rotation of the Earth) and the fact that they are relying on GPS systems with a common view point on a satellite in space, it appears that Frame Dragging might be the cause of the result... Read this Extract from Wikipedia regarding Frame Dragging: "Frame dragging effects Rotational frame-dragging (the Lense–Thirring effect) appears in the general principle of relativity and similar theories in the vicinity of rotating massive objects. Under the Lense–Thirring effect, the frame of reference in which a clock ticks the fastest is one which is revolving around the object as viewed by a distant observer. This also means that light traveling in the direction of rotation of the object will move past the massive object faster than light moving against the rotation, as seen by a distant observer. It is now the best-known effect, partly thanks to the Gravity Probe B experiment. Qualitatively, frame-dragging can be viewed as the gravitational analog of electromagnetic induction." The point is that the Dragging effect happens to differing degrees depending on its proximity to mass. As the Neutrinos passed through the rock (i.e in very close proximity to the rotating mass) there may be scope for an error in the Frame Dragging calculation, especially if GPS assumes signals traveling through space. Perhaps if a similar experiment was carried out on Neutrinos traveling from East to West, rather than West to East, then a travel time of 60us slower than light speed would be recorded, rather than the 60us faster than light speed of the experiment just performed! Regards, Declan Traill