physics

Human vs. Alien Technology: Fact, Fiction, and Speculation

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The concept of extraterrestrial life has fascinated humans for centuries, leading to countless depictions of alien technology in science fiction. These portrayals often paint a picture of technological prowess far surpassing our own, raising the question: how does human technology compare with what we imagine alien technology to be? This article explores our understanding of human technology, speculations about alien technology, and the intriguing intersection of the two.

Understanding Human Technology

Human technology, developed over thousands of years, has resulted in remarkable advancements. From the invention of the wheel to the development of AI, our technological progress is a testament to human ingenuity and innovation. We have explored our planet, ventured into space, and begun to unlock the mysteries of the universe.

Speculating About Alien Technology

While we have no concrete evidence of extraterrestrial life or their technology, we can speculate based on our understanding of physics, biology, and technology. Theoretical physicists and astrobiologists suggest that advanced alien civilizations could harness energy from their stars (Dyson Spheres), manipulate matter at the nanoscale (nanotechnology), or even bend the fabric of spacetime for interstellar travel (warp drives).

The Intersection of Human and Alien Technology

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) represents an intersection of human and hypothetical alien technology. Our efforts to detect alien signals use the pinnacle of human technological capabilities, from advanced radio telescopes to complex algorithms analyzing vast amounts of data.

UFOs and Unexplained Phenomena

Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and unexplained phenomena often stoke speculation about alien technology. While most of these sightings have earthly explanations, some remain unexplained. Governments worldwide, including the U.S., have conducted investigations into these phenomena. Although they haven’t provided evidence of alien technology, they have sparked public interest and scientific curiosity.

The Impact of the Search for Alien Technology

The search for alien technology has profound implications for our understanding of the universe and our place in it. It drives us to push the boundaries of science, inspiring technological innovations and fostering a sense of global unity in the shared quest for knowledge.

Conclusion: Human vs. Alien Technology – A Journey of Discovery

In comparing human and alien technology, we embark on a journey of discovery, exploring the limits of our knowledge and imagination. The quest for understanding alien technology is not just about finding extraterrestrial life; it’s also about understanding ourselves – our potential, our drive for discovery, and our place in the cosmos.

Until we make contact, the comparison between human and alien technology remains speculative. Yet, it’s a speculation that inspires, driving us towards new horizons of science, technology, and understanding. Whether we find alien life or not, the journey itself enriches our species, pushing us to reach further into the cosmos and deeper into understanding our existence.

The Ultimate Speed Limit: What Would Happen if a Human Body Reached the Speed of Light?

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Have you ever wondered what would happen if a human body could reach the speed of light? This mind-bending concept has long intrigued scientists, science fiction writers, and the general public alike. In this article, we will explore the theoretical implications of a human body reaching the speed of light, as well as the scientific principles governing this limit. Let’s dive into this exhilarating thought experiment and uncover the fascinating physics behind the speed of light.

  1. The Speed of Light and Relativity

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (186,282 miles per second) [1]. This universal constant, denoted by ‘c,’ is not only essential in the field of optics but also plays a crucial role in the special theory of relativity. According to Albert Einstein’s groundbreaking theory, the speed of light is the ultimate cosmic speed limit [2]. This means that nothing with mass can reach, let alone surpass, the speed of light.

  1. The Theory of Relativity and Time Dilation

One of the remarkable consequences of Einstein’s theory of relativity is time dilation. As an object with mass approaches the speed of light, time begins to slow down relative to a stationary observer [3]. This means that if a human were to somehow reach near-light speed, they would experience time at a slower rate compared to someone who remained on Earth. In the famous “twin paradox,” one twin traveling close to the speed of light would age more slowly than their Earth-bound sibling [4].

  1. The Mass Increase and Kinetic Energy

Another intriguing aspect of approaching the speed of light is the effect on an object’s mass. As an object’s velocity increases, its mass also increases according to the relativistic mass formula [5]. Consequently, a human body moving at near-light speed would acquire an immense mass.

The increase in mass is accompanied by a corresponding rise in kinetic energy. As the human body approaches the speed of light, the required energy to continue accelerating increases exponentially. It would take an infinite amount of energy to propel an object with mass to the speed of light, making it physically impossible [6].

  1. The Physical Consequences

If, hypothetically, a human body could reach the speed of light, several bizarre and lethal consequences would occur. Firstly, the human body would be subjected to immense forces due to its increased mass, making it impossible to maintain structural integrity [7]. Furthermore, the body would collide with space particles, like hydrogen atoms, at an extreme velocity, resulting in intense radiation that could destroy the body at the molecular level [8].

  1. The Role of Wormholes and Warp Drives

While it is impossible for an object with mass to reach the speed of light, scientists have explored other means of achieving faster-than-light travel, such as wormholes and warp drives. Wormholes are theoretical tunnels in spacetime that could allow instant travel between two points in the universe [9]. On the other hand, the concept of a warp drive involves bending spacetime around a spaceship to propel it faster than the speed of light without violating the laws of physics [10]. Although these ideas remain purely theoretical, they offer an exciting glimpse into potential methods of rapid interstellar travel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the laws of physics prevent a human body from reaching the speed of light. The consequences of approaching this cosmic speed limit include time dilation, increased mass, and a corresponding rise in kinetic energy. Despite the impossibility of light-speed travel, scientists continue to explore alternative methods, such as wormholes and warp drives, to facilitate faster-than-light exploration of our universe.

Source List:

[1] National Institute of Standards and Technology. (n.d.). Speed of Light. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/pml/atoms/speed-light

[2] Einstein, A. (1905). Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper. Annalen der Physik, 17, 891-921.

[3] Taylor, E. F., & Wheeler, J. A. (1992). Spacetime Physics: Introduction to Special Relativity (2nd ed.). W. H. Freeman.

[4] Langevin, P. (1911). The Evolution of Space and Time. Scientia, 10, 31-54.

[5] Okun, L. B. (1989). The Concept of Mass. Physics Today, 42(6), 31-36.

[6] Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2018). Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.

[7] Thorne, K. S. (1994). Black Holes and Time Warps: Einstein’s Outrageous Legacy. W. W. Norton & Company.

[8] Sagan, C. (1994). Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. Random House.

[9] Morris, M. S., & Thorne, K. S. (1988). Wormholes in spacetime and their use for interstellar travel: A tool for teaching general relativity. American Journal of Physics, 56(5), 395-412.

[10] Alcubierre, M. (1994). The warp drive: hyper-fast travel within general relativity. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 11(5), L73-L77.

Journey into the Unknown: What It Might Be Like to Enter a Black Hole

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Black holes are some of the most fascinating and mysterious objects in the universe. They are known for their immense gravity, which can pull in anything that comes too close, including light itself. The idea of entering a black hole might seem like a science fiction trope, but it’s a topic of intense scientific interest and research. In this article, we’ll explore what it might be like to enter a black hole, and what the latest research says about these enigmatic objects.

What is a Black Hole?

A black hole is a region of space where gravity is so strong that nothing can escape it, not even light. It is created when a massive star collapses in on itself, leaving behind a point of infinite density known as a singularity. The area around the singularity is called the event horizon, which is the point of no return for anything that enters it.

What Happens When You Enter a Black Hole?

Entering a black hole is a one-way trip. Once you cross the event horizon, there is no turning back. What happens next is still a matter of speculation, but here are some of the leading theories:

  1. Spaghettification: As you approach the singularity, the gravitational forces become increasingly stronger. This can cause you to be stretched out into a long, thin shape, like spaghetti. The process is known as spaghettification, and it’s a result of the tidal forces acting on your body.
  2. Time Dilation: As you get closer to the black hole, time starts to slow down relative to the outside world. This effect is known as time dilation, and it’s a consequence of the intense gravitational field. The closer you get to the singularity, the slower time becomes, until it eventually stops altogether.
  3. No Escape: Once you cross the event horizon, there is no way to escape the black hole’s gravity. Even if you were to travel at the speed of light, you would still be pulled towards the singularity. It’s like falling into a bottomless pit, with no way to climb back out.
  4. Unknown fate: The fate of anything that enters a black hole is still unknown. Some theories suggest that you might be crushed to infinite density at the singularity, while others propose that you might emerge in another part of the universe through a hypothetical wormhole.

Latest Research on Black Holes

Black holes are still one of the most mysterious objects in the universe, but scientists have made significant progress in understanding their properties and behavior. Here are some of the latest research findings:

  1. Black Holes Can Merge: In 2015, scientists detected gravitational waves from two black holes that had merged into one. This was the first direct evidence of black hole mergers, and it confirmed a prediction of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
  2. Black Holes Emit Radiation: In 1974, Stephen Hawking proposed that black holes emit radiation due to quantum effects. This radiation, known as Hawking radiation, is extremely weak and difficult to detect, but it’s a crucial prediction of modern physics.
  3. Black Holes May Hold Dark Matter: Dark matter is a mysterious substance that makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe. Some theories suggest that black holes may be a source of dark matter, as they can capture and hold onto it.
  4. Black Holes Can Spin: Like stars, black holes can spin around their axis. The speed of the spin can affect the properties of the black hole, such as the size of the event horizon and the strength of the gravitational field.

Conclusion

Entering a black hole might seem like a topic relegated to science fiction, but it’s a subject of intense scientific research and speculation. While the fate of anything that enters a black hole is still unknown, scientists have made significant progress in understanding their properties and behavior. Black holes are still one of the most fascinating and mysterious objects in the universe, and their study has led to breakthroughs in our understanding of physics and the nature of the cosmos.

Sources:

  1. “Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Merger” by B.P. Abbott et al. Physical Review Letters, 2016.
  2. “Particle creation by black holes” by S.W. Hawking. Communications in Mathematical Physics, 1975.
  3. “Black holes as dark matter detectors” by Maxim Pospelov and Adam Ritz. Physical Review D, 2009.
  4. “Black hole spin dependence of general relativistic multi-transonic accretion close to and far from the event horizon” by Dipanjan Mukherjee et al. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2020.
  5. “Black Holes: Gravity’s Relentless Pull” by Eric Weisstein. Wolfram Research, 2021.

Pi Day and Other Interesting Numbers: Significance and Applications in Mathematics and Science

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matheon2.jpg

March 14th is known as Pi Day, a day that celebrates the mathematical constant π (pi), which is approximately 3.14. Pi Day has become an annual event that celebrates not only pi but also other interesting numbers that have significance in mathematics and science. This paper explores the history and significance of Pi Day and other interesting numbers that have captured the imagination of mathematicians and scientists around the world.

Pi Day

Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th, as the first three digits of pi are 3.14. The day was first celebrated in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Since then, Pi Day has become an annual event celebrated by math enthusiasts around the world [1]. On Pi Day, people celebrate by reciting the digits of pi, holding pie-eating contests, and engaging in other math-related activities.

Significance of pi

Pi is a mathematical constant that represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It is an irrational number, meaning that it cannot be expressed as a finite decimal or fraction. Pi is an essential concept in mathematics and has numerous applications in physics, engineering, and other sciences [2]. The discovery and calculation of pi have been a significant milestone in the development of mathematics throughout history.

Other interesting numbers

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:Golden_ratio_segments.png

Pi is not the only number that has captured the imagination of mathematicians and scientists. Here are some other interesting numbers:

  • e: Euler’s number, also known as the natural logarithm, is a mathematical constant that is approximately equal to 2.718. It is used in calculus, probability, and other fields of mathematics and science [3].
  • Golden ratio: The golden ratio is a mathematical concept that describes the ratio of two quantities in which the ratio of the larger quantity to the smaller quantity is the same as the ratio of the sum of the quantities to the larger quantity. It is approximately equal to 1.618 and is often found in nature, art, and architecture [4].
  • Avogadro’s number: Avogadro’s number is a constant that represents the number of particles (atoms or molecules) in one mole of a substance. It is approximately equal to 6.022 x 10^23 and is used in chemistry and physics [5].
  • The Fibonacci sequence: The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. The sequence starts with 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, and so on. The Fibonacci sequence appears in various natural phenomena, such as the arrangement of leaves on a stem and the growth patterns of seashells [6].

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pi Day and other interesting numbers have significant meaning and applications in mathematics and science. Pi is an essential concept that represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter and has numerous applications in various fields. Other interesting numbers, such as e, the golden ratio, Avogadro’s number, and the Fibonacci sequence, have also played critical roles in the development of mathematics and science.

Source List:

  1. “Celebrating Pi Day,” Exploratorium, accessed March 14, 2023, https://www.exploratorium.edu/pi
  2. “Pi,” Wolfram MathWorld, accessed March 14, 2023, https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Pi.html
  3. “e,” Wolfram MathWorld, accessed March 14, 2023, https://mathworld.wolfram.com/e.html
  4. “The Golden Ratio,” Wolfram MathWorld, accessed March 14, 2023, https://mathworld.wolfram.com/GoldenRatio.html
  5. “Avogadro’s Number,” Encyclopedia Britannica, accessed March 14, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/science/Avogadros-number
  6. “Fibonacci Numbers and Nature,” The Fibonacci Association, accessed March 14, 2023, https://www.fibonacciassociation.org/Fibonacci-number-in-nature.html

Triple Star System Paves Road to Understanding Gravity

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triple star system pulsar

Triple star systems could play a more important role than we first thought. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

A new study published in the scientific journal Nature documents the discovery of a very peculiar triple star system. Astronomers believe that observation and analyzation of this triple star system could potentially resolve lingering discrepancies in some of Einstein’s theories concerning gravity. In fact, this particular triple star system could eventually lead to unraveling the secrets of gravity.

Related Article: Our Special Time in the Universe

This triple star system is roughly 4200 light years from Earth and is composed of a pulsar and two white dwarfs orbiting each other within a space smaller than Earth’s orbit of the sun.  The pulsar closely orbits a white dwarf star while a second white dwarf star orbits the pair from a distance. While a triple star system like this one has been found before, this is the first time such a strong interaction between the orbiting objects has been observed.

According to Scott Ransom of the US National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Charlottesville, VA:

This triple star system gives us a natural cosmic laboratory far better than anything found before for learning exactly how such three-body systems work and potentially for detecting problems with general relativity that physicists expect to see under extreme conditions. This is a fascinating system in many ways, including what must have been a completely crazy formation history, and we have much work to do to fully understand it.

triple star system binary

An easy way to imagine a stellar trio. http://www.miqel.com

Pulsars are created in the presence of a supernova. Under the intensity of a supernova, burnt out stars can collapse and turn into a dense, highly magnetized ball of neutrons. A pulsar emits radio-waves in the same way a lighthouse emits light. Pulsars can only be seen when the beam of radio waves is pointing at the Earth. While pulsars all spin at different rates, the pulsar in the study spins at an extremely rapid rate of 366 times per second. Due to its incredible rotation speed, this type of pulsar is called a millisecond pulsar. Finding this millisecond pulsar triple star system is important because

This is the first millisecond pulsar found in such a system, and we immediately recognized that it provides us with a tremendous opportunity to study both the effects and nature of gravity. The gravitational perturbations imposed on each member of this system by the others are incredibly pure and strong.

Binary and triple star systems appear all over the galaxy. Even our sun is likely part of a larger binary solar system. While the systems can vary in formation, most are formed in a very similar fashion to the triple stellar system described in the study.  Two of the stars form a binary system and the third star orbits the pair at a far greater orbit. If the system isn’t constructed this way it becomes unstable, leading to a star being ejected at high velocities away from the pair.

Related Article: New Type of Hypervelocity Star Found: Just Passing Through

So as is usual with cosmological physics, the hardest aspect of reading any study is figuring out why we should care about the discovery of a special triple star system. The thing is, gravity is a rascal when it comes to theories of the universe. It simply doesn’t fit into any modern quantum theories. The Einstein Equivalence Principle states:  

The outcome of any local non-gravitational experiment in a freely falling laboratory is independent of the velocity of the laboratory and its location in spacetime.

This eventually led to the Strong Equivalence Principle, which states:

The gravitational motion of a small test body depends only on its initial position in spacetime and velocity, and not on its constitution. The outcome of any local experiment (gravitational or not) in a freely falling laboratory is independent of the velocity of the laboratory and its location in spacetime.

triple star system earth gravity

Gravity is stranger than you think. http://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/

The equivalence principle holds true in most experiments, but in the quantum world it completely falls apart. Einstein’s theory of general relativity holds true for massive celestial bodies, but the miniscule world of quantum physics is a different realm entirely.

Related Article: Long Distance Quantum Teleportation is Reality

Countless attempts have been made to create a Grand Unified Theory of physics involving a single equation that would involve all forces currently known to man. The problem is that gravity constantly throws a wrench in the spokes of every unified theory physicists come up with. Simply put, the reason this study of a unique triple star system is so important is that by observing the activity of a triple system with such pure and strong gravitational interactions, it may shine light on how gravity functions at the quantum level. This could one day lead to a single unified theory of everything. Physics would no longer be a class, just a single equation you could plug and chug information into and get answers.

 

 

Sources:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature12917.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25598051#FBM325422

http://phys.org/news6428.html

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1994MNRAS.267..161K

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1968QJRAS…9..388E

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivalence_principle#The_Einstein_equivalence_principle

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/forces/unigrav.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Unified_Theory

 

Computer Chips Modeled After the Human Brain

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brain-chip

I dare you to look at contemporary computer chips and not admire their abilities.　 The most impressive example may be the realized dream of hand-sized smart-phones, pieces of technology we already tend to take for granted. And yet – with all their condensed might packed into a few square centimetres, those chips are nearing their developmental boundaries.

Try to open your computer case and have a look. Ignore the dust! See all those messy cables inside? Modern computer architecture is crippled by the fact that data has to flow between the different parts of the computer: The CPU (central processing unit), hard-drive, the RAM, the video card, etc. (namely – those green cards that you see inside the computer case). Although tremendous efforts have been made to accelerate those transitions, the data flow between those parts still poses a serious bottleneck on the performance of computers since software commands have to be executed sequentially.

Related Article: Electronic Brain Implants Increase Intelligence

A new study from Boise State University suggests a better solution to the problem: computer chip architecture modeled after the human brain. Instead of a central processing unit overwhelmed by data flow frComputer_Chipom different computer parts, the new architecture will be based on the way the human brain functions. Multiple areas – each one processing it’s own part, contribute together to create the bigger picture. This kind of architecture eliminates the need for the major processing and memory units. Instead of a hard-drive, the RAM, the video-card and most probably the CPU itself, a new kind of universal electronic chip will process and store the data on its own.

According to the principal investigator of the research grant, Elisa Barney Smith,

By mimicking the brain’s billions of interconnections and pattern recognition capabilities, we may ultimately introduce a new paradigm in speed and power, and potentially enable systems that include the ability to learn, adapt and respond to their environment.

Related Article: Newcortex: How Human Memory Works and How We Learn

090713-memristors-01The neural approach is now becoming practical thanks to the on-going development of a new type of resistor: the memristor. Memristors can be tweaked to new resistance levels by applying and removing electric currents. Memristors “remember” the last resistance applied to them even after the power is removed. In simple words – a storage effect appears. An idea first conceived in 1971, for many years memristors puzzled physicist and engineers as a theoretical missing link component until recent developments finally made them practical. Although not yet commercially used, memristors are already taking active parts in research.

Dexter Johnson from The Nanoclast goes into greater detail regarding memristors:

The memristor has been on a rapid development track ever since and has been promised to be commercially available as early as 2014, enabling 10 times greater embedded memory for mobile devices than currently available.

The obsolescence of flash memory at the hands of the latest nanotechnology has been predicted for longer than the commercial introduction of the memristor. But just at the moment it appears it’s going to reach its limits in storage capacity along comes a new way to push its capabilities to new heights, sometimes thanks to a nanomaterial like graphene.

Using memristors, the team hopes to apply algorithms inspired by the interaction between the neural synapses of the human brain. The effect should follow the intricate patterns our brain implements to process and store data.

Related Article: Of Cyborg Monkeys and New Hope for Amputees

Apart from sounding super-cool (in a geek-ish way), this new approach harbors multiple advantages. First – a tremendously increased processing power. Thanks to mother nature (or depending on what you believe), our brain proves to be quite efficient in processing data. The new generation of computers will benefit from that very same system. Second – the new chips will be considerably more power efficient, suggesting they may be used in places where power support is an issue. We may expect an additional decrease in electronic-chip sizes as well.

And lastly… did I already mention that this new architecture sounds super cool?

 

Sources:

http://news.boisestate.edu/update/2013/08/14/research-team-building-a-computer-chip-based-on-the-human-brain/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memristor

https://twitter.com/thenanoclast

http://www.frogheart.ca/?tag=cif-small-realizing-chip-scale-bio-inspired-spiking-neural-networks-with-monolithically-integrated-nano-scale-memristors

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130814144705.htm

http://www.cbronline.com/news/tech/hardware/microelectronics/researchers-working-on-chip-that-mimics-human-brain-190813

https://wondergressive.com/2013/06/16/of-cyborg-monkeys-and-new-hope-for-amputees/

https://wondergressive.com/2013/06/12/neocortex-how-human-memory-works/

https://wondergressive.com/2012/10/13/electronic-brain-implants-increase-intelligence/

New Plausible Theory of Black Holes: Gateways to Other Universes

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According to traditional physics, once you go far enough into a black hole, traditional physics simply ceases to be.  Any meaningful equation breaks down into nonsense. Insanity. Cosmic nincompoopery! Well, not anymore…

Einstein’s theory of general relativity states that if a person were to fall into a black hole they’d be shredded to the atomic level by a process called spaghettification, described as being stretched into an infinitely long strand of matter and energy by infinitely strong gravity.  This infinitely strong gravity is due to a singularity at the ‘end’ of the black hole, an infinitely dense area with zero volume.  A singularity is also used to describe the Big Bang.

There is a problem though; conventional physics cannot describe what occurs at a singularity point, so talking about the beginning of time or the core of a black hole has always been one-pointed, but pointless. Then quantum mechanics appeared.

Related Article: Life, It’s All Over the Place

By using the theory of loop quantum gravity, a merger of quantum mechanics and general relativity which describes space-time as a web of indivisible chunks about 10-35 meters in size, physicists have come up with a practical way to describe what occurs at the singularity point; the singularity isn’t there. 

There is no singularity. Gravity still increases as you get pulled into the black hole, but eventually it decreases, and you come out the other end. Although theories have postulated this idea before, the problem was that the singularity could never be bypassed. This is incredibly revolutionary because modern day physics has always taken the idea of a singularity for granted.  The universe had forever been filled with them; all of time and space began as a singularity.

Related Article: Ancient Galaxy That Shouldn’t Exist is Found Perfectly Formed

You are probably wondering what this means for you and me, what relevance this all has.  This opens the doors for even more science fiction to become science reality (consider: just about every piece of technology that exists today was written about as science fiction at one point).

According to the new theory, black holes are more likely doors to other universes, or incredibly distant areas of our own universe, or both.  Even more amazingly, using loop quantum gravity theory, if you were to rewind the big bang you wouldn’t be left with an infinitely dense point of mass and energy, you would cross a quantum bridge into another, older universe.

Related Article: Voyager 1: The Final Frontier?

This also helps explain what happens to information that approaches a black hole.  In a black hole with a singularity, the information would be lost forever as the black hole eventually evaporates after hundreds of trillions of years (give or take several hundred trillion years). As Jorge Pullin, lead researcher on the study at Louisiana State University, points out:

Information doesn’t disappear, it leaks out.

The infinite universe just became infinitely more infinite.

 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghettification\

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_singularity

http://www.hawking.org.uk/the-beginning-of-time.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loop_quantum_gravity

http://mashable.com/2010/09/25/11-astounding-predictions/

http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v96/i14/e141301

http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v110/i21/e211301

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23611-quantum-gravity-takes-singularity-out-of-black-holes.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiverse

https://wondergressive.com/2012/08/17/life-its-all-over-the-place/

https://wondergressive.com/2012/09/21/ancient-galaxy-that-shouldnt-exist-is-perfectly-formed/

https://wondergressive.com/2013/01/12/galaxy-geysers/

https://wondergressive.com/2013/03/21/voyager-1-final-frontier/

Absolute Zero No Longer Absolute

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Absolute zero, measured using the Kelvin scale, occurs when matter has reached the lowest possible level of entropy, when its atoms are utterly and totally ‘frozen.’ It is the coldest temperature anything in the universe can possibly reach, or so we thought.

Physicists at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany have done the impossible; they have created a quantum gas made up of potassium atoms that is colder than absolute zero.

Using lasers and magnetic fields, the infantile toys of researchers studying the quantum realm, the physicists were able to stabilize the atoms in a lattice arrangement. While the atoms normally repel each other at positive temperatures, the researchers decided to have some fun and abruptly alter the magnetic fields, causing all of the atoms to instantly attract. Ulrich Schneider, part of the team of physicists, explains that

This suddenly shifts the atoms from their most stable, lowest-energy state to the highest possible energy state, before they can react. It’s like walking through a valley, then instantly finding yourself on the mountain peak.

Whoa.  In the quantum world, anything goes.

Now, at a positive temperature, attraction between all of the atoms would cause the gas to become unstable and collapse in on itself, ultimately producing contempt and self loathing in already sensitive quantum physicists   Luckily, as usual for physicists, they protected the delicate balance of their emotions with trapping lasers, which were used to hold the atoms in place.  Boom! The result is:

The gas’s transition from just above absolute zero to a few billionths of a Kelvin below absolute zero.

Working with negative temperatures opens up all new realms of possibilities in the laboratory. Wolfgang Ketterle, a man with a better name than you, as well as a physicist and Nobel laureate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, reveals to us the profundity of this feat. He says that doing quantum experimentation while working with negative temperatures is like experimenting in an environment where:

you can stand a pyramid on its head and not worry about it toppling over. This may be a way to create new forms of matter in the laboratory.

By far, the weirdest part about the negative temperature gas is that it behaves identically to dark energy, the force that pushes the Universe to expand at an exponential rate despite the ever persistent pull of gravity.  The atoms in the gas also seem to want to collapse inward, but the negative temperature holds them in place.  Schneider remarks that:

It’s interesting that this weird feature pops up in the Universe and also in the lab.  This may be something that cosmologists should look at more closely.

Researchers believe negative temperatures will give rise to the creation of matter with anti-gravitational properties, rising, despite gravity throwing a temper tantrum over wanting it to fall. For all you Egyptian pyramid conspiracy theorists out there, here’s some extra fodder for the anti-gravity theories.  The Egyptians must have created negative kelvin temperatures first!

 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_zero

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/339/6115/52

 

The Big Bang Wasn’t the Beginning

/ esfein / 1 Comment

A team of physicists are now hypothesizing that the big bang may not have been the beginning of the universe.  They believe that the big bang is instead the start of a phase change, like liquid water suddenly cooling to form solid ice.

The theory gets really interesting as the physicists discuss potential cracks in the universe like the cracks that form in actual ice.  One of the researchers, Quach, explained that the universe can be thought of “as being like a liquid, then as the universe cools, it ‘crystallises’ into the three spatial and one time dimension that we see today. Theorized this way, as the universe cools, we would expect that cracks should form, similar to the way cracks are formed when water freezes into ice.” 

The theory postulates that space and time are emerging properties of the universe that did not always exist.  The theory’s  math holds up, but even if the physicists do find the ‘cracks’ only time will tell whether the theory is even partially correct.  A whole lot of time.  And by that time a wholly other set of properties may emerge making the notion of time moot.

As for now, it’s certainly fun to consider.

Isn’t mystery just awesome?