Are we in a vortex of space-time?
We'll soon know the answer: A NASA/Stanford physics experiment called Gravity Probe B (GP-B) recently finished a year of gathering science data in Earth orbit. The results, which will take another year to analyze, should reveal the shape of space-time around Earth--and, possibly, the vortex.
Time and space, according to Einstein's theories of relativity, are woven together, forming a four-dimensional fabric called "space-time." The tremendous mass of Earth dimples this fabric, much like a heavy person sitting in the middle of a trampoline. Gravity, says Einstein, is simply the motion of objects following the curvaceous lines of the dimple.
If Earth were stationary, that would be the end of the story. But Earth is not stationary. Our planet spins, and the spin should twist the dimple, slightly, pulling it around into a 4-dimensional swirl. This is what GP-B went to space to check.
Steph, no problem, happy to help out.
I'm bored. Somebody help me!
Happy Birthday DX!
Not sure I see why the fabric of spacetime should "swirl" - the trampoline thing is just a metaphor, there's not actually anything material to have friction-bearing contact with particular parts of the earth's surface. I would think since it's a basically spherical object, it would have the same effect on spacetime no matter how it's rotating. (Well, as long as it's not rotating fast enough to fling significant masses away into space, anyway...)
Don't mean to depersonalize it, but sometimes I am struck by the wonder that is the internets
Me, too.
I'm also struck by the fact that Perkins has a cat that is NILLY-SIZED! Or is it that Nilly is cat-sized?
Perkins, which cat weighs as much as Owen does?
I'm bored. Somebody help me!
How can you be bored? WE MAY BE IN A SPACE-TIME VORTEX!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO YOU HAVE NO CONCEPT OF FEAR?!
Or, you know...could be a perfectly natural phenomenon. Like...celery.
Is that anything like that place close to Tombstone that gets no cel service? Mom's BFF calls it the "Tombstone vortex"
Happy DX Birthday!
I have JZ and Maidengurl Yay me! They are even being nice about the state of my apartment, which did not get vacuumed due to the change of plans.
Nilly, that is actually Perkins the cat.
ita needs a big version of this picture: [link]
Anyone able to find one?
