At one time, some of Einstein’s theories of space-time and general relativity have exotic subjects within the solutions of the equations, such as wormholes. Einstein theory of space-time and general relativity has been tested many times and each test has raven the theory correct. However, we have not found any wormholes in space. But, is it just going to take new technology or time? In the early 1900’s black holes were theories and many scientists did not believe they existed, but today we have found many blackholes across the universe. The advent of general relativity transformed our understanding of gravity and introduced us to the idea that the underlying fabric of the Universe is a tapestry we call “spacetime.” That fabric is a dynamic entity, constantly evolving and changing. It can be bent, twisted, warped, and perhaps ripped. In the hundred years that we have been aware of spacetime, our understanding of it has been informed by astronomical observations, detailed mathematical calculations, vast computer simulations, and wild speculation. Some ideas and predictions, though exotic, have been found to be wholly true; others we are skeptical of, but cannot disprove; of others we still have no idea what to think.
Dr. Shane Larson is a research professor of physics at Northwestern University, where he is the Associate Director of CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics)
Astronomy Fundamentals: Finding Good Targets in Twilight
Many times, we are at the telescope waiting for the sky to get darker. The Sun had set about a half hour to go, but with light pollution the sky is still not dark enough for targets to come out. Are you in your yard with family waiting to share your hobby with them?...
September ’24 – Rick’s picks
Transient Events That Can Give Us a Good Enough Reason to Get Outside and Do a Little Observing All month: the planets’ repopulation of the evening sky continues its slow advance this month, while the pre-dawn sky now begins to lose its solar system lineup. Venus sets...
August ’24 – Rick’s Picks
Transient Events That Can Give Us a Good Enough Reason to Get Outside and Do a Little ObservingAll month: the planets continue their slow and hesitant return to the evening sky this month. As August opens, Mercury is a mag +0.9 waning crescent 9 arcseconds from tip to...
Astronomy Fundamentals: The Astronomer & the Seven Dwarfs
Dwarf stars are the most plentiful in our sky. But as their name suggests, they are smaller in mass and thus less intrinsically bright. Our August fundamentals will focus on some white and red dwarf stars. Although each of these stars are dwarf stars, they are more...