Message posted by Andreas Parsch on January 08, 2003 at 14:35:55 PST:
That gravity doesn't propagate instantaneously (in fact, not faster than speed of light) was predicted by the Special Thoery of Relativity in 1905. That it propagates at exactly the speed of light was predicted by the General Theory of Relativity (1915). Both STR and GTR have since been shown (by measurements) to be very exact, and are two of the most successful theories of modern physics. Furthermore, even Quantum Theory, which has so far almost nothing definite to say on gravity, predicts a propagation at exactly light-speed (because of the unlimited range of gravity). So while the recent measurement is without question a remarkable achievement, its result is definitely _no surprise_ ;-). ... and to include a (sort-of) on-topic remark: The GTR is a "killer" for many "Area 51" claims involving extra-terrestrial spaceships, anti-gravity drives, "electro-gravitics", etc. Andreas
In Reply to: Gravity's Speed Measured--Works at Speed of Light, NOT Instantaneously posted by Homersonic on January 07, 2003 at 19:46:04 PST:
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