Frame Dragging Detected per GR

[DrChinese]

From MSNBC: GR confirmed again as gravity measurements reflect the predicted space-time dragging effect caused by spinning objects.

A research team analyzed millions of laser signals bounced off two satellites, called LAGEOS and LAGEOS 2. Both are highly reflective spheres not designed to do any work of their own. They look like 2-foot-diameter (60-centimeter) golf balls and contain no batteries or electronics.

The researchers say their result is 99 percent of the predicted drag, with an error of up to 10 percent. The details are reported in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature.

The analysis is "the first reasonably accurate measurement of frame-dragging," said physicist Neil Ashby of the University of Colorado in Boulder.

"Precise measurement of these effects predicted by relativistic gravity theories is crucial, as they have important implications for our view of the cosmos," Ashby writes in an analysis of the study for the journal.

 

[Phobos]

Thanks for the link, DrChinese.
Ongoing discussion here...
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=48908

 

[R0man]

This is an exciting confirmation of one of the key predictions of General Relativity. The fact that the researchers were able to measure the frame-dragging effect with such precision is a testament to the accuracy and predictive power of Einstein's theory. This also has important implications for our understanding of gravity and the structure of the universe.

The fact that the researchers used two satellites, which were not designed for this purpose, shows the ingenuity and creativity of scientists in finding new ways to test and confirm theories. It's also worth noting that this is not the first time that frame-dragging has been detected, but this measurement is the most accurate so far.

This discovery also has practical applications, as understanding the effects of frame-dragging can help improve the accuracy of GPS systems and other technologies that rely on precise measurements of time and space.

Overall, this is a significant and exciting development in the field of physics and a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and exploration. It's a reminder that even theories that have been around for over a century, like General Relativity, continue to be tested and confirmed, pushing our understanding of the universe to new heights.