Post by stargazer on Dec 14, 2011 7:08:15 GMT -5
Just over a hundred years ago, Albert Einstein published his theory of relativity; and from a few simple lines produced the most famous equation ever, E=mc2, and the secret of energy locked up in stars was founded.
There never has been a more established icon of science since Newton, for so remarkable was his achievement.
However, a most questionable issue has been the assumed 'constancy for the velocity of light' and it's independentcy of observers, no matter how, why, or where in the entire universe it prevails.
The velocity of light is given as approxiamately 300,000 k/sec in space, but no independent measurement in space and away from the Earth's gravitational field, has ever been undertaken.
The above value was established from time displaced observations within the confines of the solar system and other terrestrial experiments on our moving planet; but this say's nothing at all of what may happen over vast galactic distances!
Like so many,I'm sure, as a young science student, I was in awe of Relativity theory and it's implications, and eventually attempted to understand it's deeper significance more fully. I particularly recall experiencing great difficulty coming to terms with the so called 'Clock Paradox', that Jacob Bronowsky did so well to put across in his celebrated T.V series many years ago.
However, my concern here, is not with the space - time matters, but the assumed constancy of the velocity of light.
Unlike the old idea of an imaginary ether, in which the Earth and all astronomical bodies drifted through, or were dragged by gravity, which was finally abanded with the advent of the 'Michelson Moreley' experiment in 1887; I propose that gravitational fields influence, if not provide, the means of the propagation of light, and that a gravitational field acts as a vibrating medium for light. And so, within the Earth's gravitational field, which moves with the Earth, the velocity of light is actually what is measured, namely approximately 300,000 k/sec. Close to say, the sun, the velocity of light would be higher, and thus less as you move further out of the solar system. It will have maximum values close by such objects as Quasars, and where super density prevails, and a corresponding minimal value within the far stetches of intergalactic space.
If my proposal is correct, then a correction to stellar and galactic distances would be necessary, and the universe would be considerably more compact.
To conclude; can we safely assume that the velocity of light as determined by early pioneers and advocated in the Relativity Theory, is not influenced by gravitational variation throughout the universe. Until this can be ruled out, we cannot say with confidence and certainty that the velocity of light [and all that implies] is constant throughout the universe.
There never has been a more established icon of science since Newton, for so remarkable was his achievement.
However, a most questionable issue has been the assumed 'constancy for the velocity of light' and it's independentcy of observers, no matter how, why, or where in the entire universe it prevails.
The velocity of light is given as approxiamately 300,000 k/sec in space, but no independent measurement in space and away from the Earth's gravitational field, has ever been undertaken.
The above value was established from time displaced observations within the confines of the solar system and other terrestrial experiments on our moving planet; but this say's nothing at all of what may happen over vast galactic distances!
Like so many,I'm sure, as a young science student, I was in awe of Relativity theory and it's implications, and eventually attempted to understand it's deeper significance more fully. I particularly recall experiencing great difficulty coming to terms with the so called 'Clock Paradox', that Jacob Bronowsky did so well to put across in his celebrated T.V series many years ago.
However, my concern here, is not with the space - time matters, but the assumed constancy of the velocity of light.
Unlike the old idea of an imaginary ether, in which the Earth and all astronomical bodies drifted through, or were dragged by gravity, which was finally abanded with the advent of the 'Michelson Moreley' experiment in 1887; I propose that gravitational fields influence, if not provide, the means of the propagation of light, and that a gravitational field acts as a vibrating medium for light. And so, within the Earth's gravitational field, which moves with the Earth, the velocity of light is actually what is measured, namely approximately 300,000 k/sec. Close to say, the sun, the velocity of light would be higher, and thus less as you move further out of the solar system. It will have maximum values close by such objects as Quasars, and where super density prevails, and a corresponding minimal value within the far stetches of intergalactic space.
If my proposal is correct, then a correction to stellar and galactic distances would be necessary, and the universe would be considerably more compact.
To conclude; can we safely assume that the velocity of light as determined by early pioneers and advocated in the Relativity Theory, is not influenced by gravitational variation throughout the universe. Until this can be ruled out, we cannot say with confidence and certainty that the velocity of light [and all that implies] is constant throughout the universe.