I don't know enough physics to really grok how important or not this is, but man this sounds interesting:
Scientists funded by the European Space Agency have measured the gravitational equivalent of a magnetic field for the first time in a laboratory. Under certain special conditions the effect is much larger than expected from general relativity and could help physicists to make a significant step towards the long-sought-after quantum theory of gravity.
...
Small acceleration sensors placed at different locations close to the spinning superconductor, which has to be accelerated for the effect to be noticeable, recorded an acceleration field outside the superconductor that appears to be produced by gravitomagnetism. "This experiment is the gravitational analogue of Faraday's electromagnetic induction experiment in 1831.
It demonstrates that a superconductive gyroscope is capable of generating a powerful gravitomagnetic field, and is therefore the gravitational counterpart of the magnetic coil. Depending on further confirmation, this effect could form the basis for a new technological domain, which would have numerous applications in space and other high-tech sectors" says de Matos. Although just 100 millionths of the acceleration due to the Earth’s gravitational field, the measured field is a surprising one hundred million trillion times larger than Einstein’s General Relativity predicts. Initially, the researchers were reluctant to believe their own results.
(Via /. via Kurt.)
Posted by bug to Science at March 24, 2006 11:56 AM | TrackBacki've tried to explain the context here. if it's for real, it's absolutely amazing - we have something in a lab that connects two worlds (general relativity and "everything else") that have so far resisted our best attempts at unifying them.
however, it does not confirm some of the "left field" stuff that has come out of russia (iirc), and it needs confirming itself.
Posted by: andrew cooke at March 24, 2006 5:49 PMDear Sir,
I have solved the 7 Einstein cosmological blunders. Please see
www.gravitomagnetism.com
My kindest regards to you,
Joseph
Since the gravitomagnetic force component Fg is not radial, it exerts a moment of force on the two-body system. This moment of force is negative during half cycle A and positive during half cycle B. This moment of force induces a negative rate of change of momentum known as torque during half cycle A and positive one during half cycle B. Thus an alternating torque, hence an alternating rate of change of angular momentum of the two-body system. There is no conservation of angular momentum as stated by the Newton law. The positive moment of force is always greater than the negative one. This explains the mercury perihelion advance. For more details see gravitational waves radiation www.gravitomagnetism.com
Posted by: nduriri at November 30, 2006 11:59 PMBy using relativity, gravity waves have quantitatively been determined during the solar eclipse. The gravity waves are induce at a supersonic speed (1000m/s), they induce gravitomotive force g.m.f. in gases and liquids, thereby creating masse currents which is converted into sound waves; they also induce electromotive force e.m.f. in electric conductors, plasma, ionosphere and metals thereby creating electric currents.
Since the quasi stationary orthodox gravity shield theories do not offer a global and coherent explanation concerning gravity perturbations, can there be a physical science work of more importance than obtaining an understanding of these perturbations and seeking interaction with the remote forces of gravity?
The facts are there, the facts remain the keystone in which the stability of a theory must be tested.
See www.gravitomagnetism.com
Joseph Nduriri, Paris, FRANCE