Gravity Waves

The next big physics break through might be the discovery of gravity waves. Albert Einstein predicted the discovery of gravitational waves with his theory of relativity. Originally many physicists thought that the existence of gravity waves was only a mathematical phenomenon. However, physics are currently trying to test for the existence of these waves. I found an interesting article from NASA that explains the how to go about testing for gravity waves. The basic idea is that the distance between two masses is constantly measured with a laser. The masses are free to move so a gravity wave would be detected by measuring the change in distance between the two objects. The theory behind this is that gravity waves cause fluctuations in space time. This fluctuation is what changes the distance between the two objects.

The discovery of gravity waves has the ability to greatly help scientists explain the origins of the universe and also help explain other large events such as the creation of black holes. If their existence is confirmed, it would be a tremendous break through for physics.

If you are interested in a short video explaining gravity waves, here is one I found on youtube.            

 

The Hubble Telescope

After reading about the power of different telescopes, I became interested in learning more about the famous Hubble Telescope. I found a video that explains some of the telescope’s mechanics and I think it’s worth the watch. What is really fascinating is the sensitivity the Hubble Telescope has. It can detect a candle from Tokyo from a distance as far away as Los Angeles. It is able to do this because it is a reflector telescope. It reflects light of many mirrors in order to magnify and focus it. Watch the video to get a better idea of how this works watch the video. It takes incredible precision in order to achieve this. When the telescope first when up, the primary mirror was off by about 1/50 the thickness of a human hair. This was enough of a defect to cause a blurry image. An interesting history about all the logistics of setting the telescope up can be found here at howstuffworks.com

Picture from NASA

Historical Astronomers in Context

Nicholas Copernicus

Birthday: February 19, 1473 in Torun, Poland

Death: May 24, 1543 in Frauenburg, Poland

Johannes Kepler

Birthday: December 27, 1571 in Weil der Stadt, Württemberg

Death: 1630 in Regensburg

Tycho Brahe

Birthday: December 14, 1546 in Scania, Denmark

Death: October 24, 1601 in Prague

Galeleo Galelei

Birthday: February 15, 1564

Death: January 8, 1642

Isaac Newton

Birthday: January 4, 1643 in Woolsthorpe, England

Death: March 31, 1727 in London

Kepler and Brahe both lived at the same time from 1571 to 1601 (30 years).

Kepler and Galelei lived at the same time from 1571 to 1630 (29 years).

Brahe and Galelei lived at the same time from 1564 to 1601 (37 years).

All three (Kepler Brahe and Galelei) were alive between 1571to1601 (30 years).

Copernicus and Newton did not live at the same time as any of the men (0 years).

Johnnes Keplar was very important to astronomy because, using data Tycho Brahe had collected, he proved that the orbit of Mars is an ellipse. In 1609 he published Astronomia Nova which contained Keplar’s first two laws of planetary motion.

Many interesting things were happening during the life of Keplar.  Two that sick out to me are, in the year 1600 Shakespeare published Hamlet and in1607 Jamestown was founded in Virginia. It was the first English settlement in America. These are both monumental historical events that have significantly impacted our world today.

Shakespeare is a very famous historical figure from these times. His work is still a major part of English curricula today. His work has also influenced many other writers and artists.

What I find very interesting from learning this background information is that is that it makes the 1600s seem like a big time for humanity. People are starting to have major breakthroughs in science, arts and travel. It is also interesting because it implies that the general population has become wealthier for people to focus so much time on non survival things.

Sources:

Nicholas Copernicus 

Johannes Kepler

Tycho Brahe

Galeleo Galelei

Isaac Newton