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Re: The speed of gravity



Here's an example of why I have my physicsdolt wife read, when convenient, my
"science" writing.

bc who thinks there is an astronomical term for this event. (conjunction?
then a short definition, not using RA!, is in order)

Hugh Haskell wrote:

At 0:53 -0700 9/5/02, Michael Bowen wrote:

We all "know" how this particular experiment will turn out, but it's still
an interesting read.

http://www.missouri.edu/~news/releases/gravitymeasuring.html

I just got around to reading the rest of this press release, and the
third paragraph is a real howler:

The experiment will involve precisely measuring the angular
distances between several quasars, celestial objects in distant
galaxies that resemble stars. On Sept. 8, Jupiter will pass very
close to the primary quasar. When it does, its gravity will cause
the quasar's position in the sky
to shift by a distance that depends on the speed of gravity.
Kopeikin and Ed Fomalont, a radio astronomer with the National
Science Foundation's National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO),
will use an observational technique they developed to compare the
position of the primary quasar to the position of other quasars
unaffected by Jupiter. Using their data, they hope to confirm the
accuracy
of Einstein's theory further.

We all know what the author is talking about, but will the general
public? And how long will it be before the respected astronomical
journal, The National Enquirer, is out with headlines about "Quasars
Invading the Solar System!"? Or maybe "Jupiter Invading Distant
Galaxies!" Or maybe "Astronomers Find Jupiter has no Gravity!" The
possibilities are endless :-).

Hugh
--

Hugh Haskell
<mailto:haskell@ncssm.edu>
<mailto:hhaskell@mindspring.com>

(919) 467-7610

Let's face it. People use a Mac because they want to, Windows because they
have to..
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