NASA | Atomic Interferometry

Einstein predicted gravity waves in his general theory of relativity, but to date these ripples in the fabric of space-time have never been observed. Now a scientific research technique called Atomic Interferometry is trying to re-write the canon. In conjunction with researchers at Stanford University, scientists at NASA Goddard are developing a system to measure the faint gravitational vibrations generated by movement of massive objects in the universe. The scientific payoff could be important, helping better clarify key issues in our understanding of cosmology. But application payoff could be substantial, too, with the potential to develop profound advances in fields like geolocation and timekeeping. In this video we examine how the system would work, and the scientific underpinnings of the research effort.

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[paulgracey]

One of the difficulties I can think of for trying to measure gravitational waves on Earth is that, like a free balloon in the air that senses no wind while being driven hither and yon by every slight breeze, the Earth is not a stable enough platform for being similarly driven by gravity waves. Even the laser system is likely to have noise greater than any signal that is very hard to eliminate.

[yiannismihail]

Of course, we could always be getting closer to creating a second "Michelson Morley" experiment.

[Williraser]

holding one atom with 4 lasers and measure it movement to an extent i can't even imagen, impressive

[theWACKIIRAQI]

i think they will try to do this in space later where there's no interference .. can't they do so?

[Xune]

I think I read that book too when I was young, there was a guy who did magic tricks and when he died he turned into zombie, right? Trippy stuff.

[NoMoreMasters]

Your "what if" can be tested by known understanding of the laws of physics and its verdict? No, that is not what the big bang was.

[subh]

Read a little bit of general relativity, and it should be clearer.

[angeldacci]

Well i once went as far as thinking about, what if our planet were giants atoms, or what if our atome were somone else universe/planet, that tho was some crazy weed... I was so lost my brain made a short-circuit by

[adonai]

lo que no es real nunca sera real ni verdad empezando desde ahy, encontramos un largo camino hacia la verdadera realidad