Two papers on the subject, the result of 250 experiments over the course of 3 years, are currently being considered for publication, so this isn't the product of a tinfoil-hat fever dream. The experiment is being described as "the gravitational analogue of Faraday's electromagnetic induction experiment in 1831".
How incredibly cool is this?
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Interesting. The article noted the existence of non-theoretical applications, but I wish they's gone into more detail.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Well, if we could create gravitational fields of sufficient strength they'd be a pretty useful form of propulsion in spaceships. And of course, in zero gravity enviromnents we could just create our own. I'm sure that there are all sorts of more subtle uses that haven't occurred to me yet, but those two alone would be huge.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
Its nice to see them doing something other then slamming small particles together at high speeds just to see what happens.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Noemon, that's the sort of stuff that occurred to me, but I was curious to know if they thought it was realistic. Like, remember when scientists found a way to "teleport" subatomic particles? I rememeber reading that they did not think this would ever lead to being able to teleport objects or people, but possibly to near-instantaneous information transfer.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Such slamming together of particles is not without its uses by any means.
This development is really cool, though. Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Yeah Icarus, if the types of things I was talking about are made possible by this technology they'll be a long way down the road, I'm sure. I expect that we'll hear more about this once the papers have been made available for peer review.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
Two papers on the subject, the result of 250 experiments over the course of 3 years, are currently being considered for publication, so this isn't the product of a tinfoil-hat fever dream. The experiment is being described as "the gravitational analogue of Faraday's electromagnetic induction experiment in 1831".
How incredibly cool is this?
Does that mean they'll be able to use it to fly, and to single people out on the basis of their DNA, like the gravitomagnetic fields in Heinlein's The Sixth Column?
Posted by Geekazoid99 (Member # 8254) on :
This is definatly something i would want to read more about. This type of thing could have a ton of posibilities
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Gravitomagnetic Overlords.
Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :
Cool. Thanks again Noemon.
Posted by JenniK (Member # 3939) on :
I want to see it replicated by others first, but this could be the discovery of the century. Posted by Boothby171 (Member # 807) on :
Geekazoid,
It might actually have 1.0001 tons of possibilities!
Posted by Geekazoid99 (Member # 8254) on :
Sorry i just got back from Israel my brain is not functioning as normal
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
very very very cool.
So can they reverse the effect?
--j_k
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
Well, duh, obviously all they'd have to do is reverse the polarities. That always works.
--Enigmatic
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
quote:Originally posted by James Tiberius Kirk: very very very cool.
So can they reverse the effect?
--j_k
erm, you mean can they destroy a gravitomagnetic field? Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Enigmatic, are you mad? If they reverse the polarity before they've reconfigured the deflector dish, that will mean certain doom!
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
They should be fine as long as they don't cross the streams.
Posted by Epictetus (Member # 6235) on :
But crossing the streams is what made the door swing both ways. The future of New York is at stake!
Seriously though, this is really cool.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
in all seriousness what CAN this lead to? Like can it lead to artificial gravity?
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
If they can use this effect to generate gravity waves, does anyone know if the waves will have the same speed as an EM wave?
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
An interesting Slashdot comment I read: "Artificial gravity is not the real exitement around this experiment. The really important part is, you know, experimental evidence that may provide insight into the unification of relativity and quantum mechanics."
I'm going to abstain from discussion, though, until I know enough to say something worth putting forward.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Neat. Thanks for the link, Noemon.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Lalo -
What, if any, practical purposes does that give us?
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Well now. If that result is published, it is definite Stockholm territory.
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
This thread is a mixed review for me. On the one hand the actual information is very cool (thanks Noemon), but on the other hand I'm irritated at myself and at you bums for getting to all the good Star Trek jokes before I could.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
streams is andromeda, a scifi show I never quite understood.
Posted by Advent 115 (Member # 8914) on :
Umm, does this mean we can build space stations and ships with artificial gravity? Posted by Xaposert (Member # 1612) on :
I guess the first question we need to ask is: How long before we can make this into some sort of weapon?
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
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