Does the Ether Theory Explain Sidereal Fluctuations in Atomic Clocks?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ether theory's potential to explain sidereal fluctuations in atomic clocks, particularly in relation to the findings of the Hafele and Keating experiment on time dilation. Participants explore the implications of using ether as an absolute reference frame and its predicted effects on atomic clock measurements based on Earth's rotation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that while special relativity's predictions align with experimental results, it does not explain why the Earth's axis of rotation serves as a reference frame for time dilation effects.
  • Another participant questions the specifics of the Hafele and Keating experiment, asking about the speed of the planes relative to the airbase and the exact time difference between ground and air clocks.
  • A participant asserts that general relativity does not necessitate the use of an inertial frame, suggesting that the choice of reference frame is not limited to the Earth's axis of rotation.
  • Some participants propose that ether theory could model time dilation effects and predict a sidereal fluctuation in atomic clocks, with specific values mentioned for different latitudes.
  • There is a query about whether the predicted sidereal fluctuation effect has been detected in practice.
  • A later reply references a forum rule regarding speculative posts, indicating a concern about the nature of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of ether theory as an explanation for time dilation effects, with some supporting its predictions while others emphasize the sufficiency of general relativity. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on assumptions about the ether theory and its comparison to special relativity, which may not be universally accepted. The discussion also touches on the implications of reference frames in general relativity, which are not fully explored.

wisp
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In 1971, Hafele and Keating made airline flights around the world to test the effect of time dilation on moving atomic clocks. Although special relativity's predictions and the results of the experiment agree reasonably well, it does not give a reason why it only works if the line through the Earth's axis of rotation is chosen as its reference frame. And it gives no reason why this causes a real physical change in the actual times of the atomic clocks.

It is possible to use an ether theory to model the dilation effects using the ether as an absolute reference frame. Its predictions match those of special relativity, but it predicts that atomic clocks on the Earth are affected by a tiny sidereal fluctuation of around 0.7nS at the equator, and it goes to zero at the poles. This is caused by the rotation of the Earth altering the absolute speed at which the clocks move relative to the ether flow.

Does anyone know if this effect has been detected?
 
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I have two questions about that. How fast where the planes moving (relitive to the air bace) and what is the exact diference between the ground and air clock, and
 
wisp said:
Although special relativity's predictions and the results of the experiment agree reasonably well, it does not give a reason why it only works if the line through the Earth's axis of rotation is chosen as its reference frame.
It works regardless of what reference frame you choose. General relativity doesn't even require that you use an inertial frame.

wisp said:
It is possible to use an ether theory to model the dilation effects using the ether as an absolute reference frame. Its predictions match those of special relativity, but it predicts that atomic clocks on the Earth are affected by a tiny sidereal fluctuation of around 0.7nS at the equator, and it goes to zero at the poles. This is caused by the rotation of the Earth altering the absolute speed at which the clocks move relative to the ether flow.

Does anyone know if this effect has been detected?
This probably falls under PF's prohibition on overly speculative posts: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=5374
 

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