Gravity field phenomenon is the curved light ray ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between gravity fields and the curvature of light rays, particularly in the context of atmospheric effects on light as it passes near planets. Participants explore whether the observed phenomenon of light bending is influenced by planetary atmospheres or if it is a result of gravitational effects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the bending of light rays near planets could be attributed to atmospheric refraction rather than gravity.
  • Others argue that planets lack sufficient mass to significantly affect light through gravitational lensing, indicating that atmospheric effects are a concern.
  • A participant proposes an experimental approach to test the influence of atmosphere on weight by using a vacuum chamber, questioning the validity of atmospheric effects on gravitational measurements.
  • There is a mention of the atmosphere acting as a "sphere lens," raising questions about its role in light bending.
  • Another participant challenges the idea of the atmosphere as a lens by questioning why an object's weight remains unchanged when the atmosphere is reduced.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the influence of atmospheric conditions on light bending near planets, with no consensus reached on whether gravity or atmospheric effects are the primary cause.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of isolating gravitational effects from atmospheric influences, with participants raising experimental considerations and theoretical implications that remain unresolved.

einsteinooo
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Surrounding the planets usually exists the various atmosphere. Due to this atmosphere, one light ray crossing the planet will be refracted more if it comes more closely to the planet's surface. So how to know that " gravity field phenomenon is the curved light ray" is not created by the planets' atmosphere ?
 
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Planets are not normally used to measure gravitational lensing.
The atmosphere is a problem and they don't have enough mass to give a significant result.
 
einsteinooo said:
Surrounding the planets usually exists the various atmosphere. Due to this atmosphere, one light ray crossing the planet will be refracted more if it comes more closely to the planet's surface. So how to know that " gravity field phenomenon is the curved light ray" is not created by the planets' atmosphere ?

You forgot to ask why there are atmosphere around a planet in the first place.

There's one simple way to check for this. Put an object in an environment of "less atmosphere" and check its weight. If it has changed considerably as you pump out the air, then you'd be correct. I have a vacuum chamber that can go to as low as 10^-10 Torr. How much are you willing to bet that a block of, say, OFE copper that I put in there would be reduced in mass as I pump it down?

Zz.
 
Atmosphere is " Sphere lens "
 
einsteinooo said:
Atmosphere is " Sphere lens "

So where is this "sphere lens" when I pump out a lot of it, yet my object still weighs the same?

Zz.
 

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