Einstein’s Theory of Relativity Finds a Planet Similar to Earth

Einstein was right again! It is amazing that over a hundred years ago the specific and general theory of relativity was published by Albert Einstein the odd mathematician that spent months in his basement thinking and testing mathematical models. This theory is still being tested with a high level of success and recently found a new Earth like planet far away in space. You may read Einstein’s concepts in Relativity: The Special and General Theory.

The BEER algorithm (Beaming effect with Ellipsoidal and Reflection/emission modulations) was used to discover a new planet (Kepler-76b) with earth like qualities. This planet’s existence was confirmed through more traditional methods. What is unique about this instance is that it sheds further credibility on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. The planet is one of the first to show super-rotational (surface rotation such as clouds, wind, etc…) evidence in the Kepler band area of space. 

The planet exists in the constellation Cygnus which is around 2,000 light-years from Earth. The size of the planet is approximately 1.25X the size of Jupiter. As this planet moves around its star it maintains the same angle and face to this planet. This means the same side always is pointed toward its mother star as it rotates around the planet. 

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics used the Kepler Space Telescope to view the star from three effects as it moved through its orbit. 

Three Effects:

-Beaming/Doppler Boosting: The changes in light radiance that occur when gravity pushes and pulls the light beams.

-Gravitational Tides: When viewed from certain angles the planet can seem larger or smaller.

-Starlight Reflection: Detecting the reflection of light on the planet.

The Theory of Relativity encourages an understand that as the light moves closer to us it will become brighter and as it moves away from us it will be less bright. By using the telescope and the BEER algorithm scientists were able to determine these differences and narrow in on a planet. They then use other methods to verify its existence.

Source

The measurements are so small that the human eye and an earth based telescope would not be able to see them. Using a space telescope the scientists were able to watch light infractions for over a hundred days to find the differences. It is these differences compared to their surroundings that allowed them to notice the planet for the first time. The actual research shows how outliers are factored into the explanation. 

The basic Theory of Relativity postulates that space and time should be seen together.  Objects are relative to each other. As objects are in motion in relation to other objects in motion they are as though they are standing still. Specific Relativity indicates that the law of physics is the same for all non-accelerated observers. The theory moves on to explain how gravitational pulls can bend light and distort trajectories. It is this distortion of light that had led to a new methodology of understanding our solar system.

You may read their full publication at:

BEER analysis of Kepler and CoRoTlight curves: I. Discovery of Kepler-76b: A hot Jupiter with evidence for superrotation

Additional Reading:

Science 20 

PosSci 

Fox News

 

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

The Persistence of Memory 1931

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali in 1931 represents a surrealist perspective of deep understandings of the nature of the universe. The painting is more than meets the eye and much deeper than its first impression. Even though the work was started from watching melting cheese it is also a deeply moving unconscious experience. The painter and his work were part of a movement that delved beneath the human psyche and tried to project that understanding for others to ponder the complex nature of human experience. 

The melting watches were representations of the continuum of space and time and the melting cosmic order. Time is relative to activity in the environment. If everything within the environment is moving fast while the object is moving slow, time will seeming slower than if an object speeds up and the environment lags in speed, then time is condensed. The creature in the picture represents the fading of images in dreams that we have a hard time formulating an understanding of and the ants represent the eventual death of time. Wow! I bet you didn’t expect all that!

It is possible to see the picture as an impression of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. All things in the universe are relative to everything else thereby creating a cosmic order. Even though we may have thought of riding the moonbeam as pure fantasy we soon learn in history that Einstein was correct. The universe is a machine of order with subsequent rules and laws that govern its existence. It is possible to move faster than the moonbeam. As with all genius, others have a hard time following their train of thought and simply consider such inventions and works as irrational only because they are unable to learn all of the pieces that make such far reaching constructions possible. As Louis Aragon stated, “We know that the nature of genius is to provide idiots with ideas twenty years later.”

The Persistence of Memory painting is part of the surrealism era of deeper human thought. Surrealism is a revolutionary movement springing from WWI and the 1920’s. It origin was out of Paris France and spread throughout Europe and the United States Accordingly. The art is expected to be shocking and represent the philosophical, social theory, and science of the era. Freud’s work of dream interpretation and free association became a cornerstone of the movement. The works of art were representations of realities that are perceived both collectively and individually. Many famous artists met in coffee shops and joined the movement because of its rich and vivid impressions.

Salvador Dali was born in 1904 and died in 1989. His surrealist works were attributed to an influence of the Renaissance masters. Dali was of Arab Moorish background but loved things of Western excess and luxury. He was born in Empordà region in Spain, which is near France, accepting both Eastern and Western traditions. He had an interest in mathematics, natural science and infractions of light which he incorporated into his works.