Our measurements of the universe require a standard basis of units. Defining those standards poses certain challenges. After all, how to you measure something that is used to define your measurements?
Lagrange’s Gravitational Dance
Joseph-Louis Lagrange first studied the complexities of gravitational motion in the late 1700s.
Gravity’s Oldest Puzzles
Our understanding of gravitational dynamics is very good. With it we can send probes to distant worlds such as Pluto to an accuracy of a dozen kilometers. But sometimes our models don’t quite match reality. These astrometric anomalies are small and subtle, but they sometimes lead to a new understanding of the universe.
Relativity Wins Again
One of the great things about science is how we keep testing our assumptions. Even when a phenomenon has been rigorously tested, we still push the limits of observation. Take, for example, some recent research on the speed of light.
Can We Break The Laws of Physics?
One of the assumptions most scientists have about the universe is that there are absolute physical laws that describe or govern the behavior of the cosmos. They’re often referred to as the laws of physics.
Are We Living In A Black Hole?
Here’s an idea, what if the universe and everything we see around us is actually inside a black hole?
Black Holes Tell No Tales. Or Do They?
Stephen Hawking thinks he’s solved a long standing problem in physics known as the information paradox. But has he?
Neutrinos From Outer Space!
Neutrinos are being detected from outer space, and that’s kind of a big deal.
Could We Ever Build A Time Machine?
When Einstein developed his gravitational theory of general relativity, some physicists began to wonder if time travel might actually be possible.