Now that’s a helluva headline.
I thought I was feeling a little off this weekend. Now I know why. I’m very sensitive to ripples in time.
Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/20/world/black-hole-neutron-star-scn-trnd/index.html
"space and time" is Not same thing as spacetime.
The accuracy of the term is the fundamental difference between non relativistic classical physics where space and time are 2 independent physical entities and modern physics where space and time can no longer be independent and must get mixed as one physical entity in order to accurately describe what we see: the speed of light is constant for all observers. So, we consider our world to be embedded in this 4D space-time continuum. All events/places/moments in history and actions are described in terms of their location in spacetime.
I know this CNN report is just a pop science piece. But the incorrect terms could mislead readers in understanding modern physics by still using classical physics concepts. BTW, Einstein spent great effort to explain why space and time can’t be 2 independent physical entities. Because they are relative, e.g. fast moving objects appear to shrink to observers and fast moving observers may measure time differently… Only the speed of light is not relative, it's constant to all observers.
The author also got wrong on gravitational-wave research facilities by saying “Last Wednesday, gravitational wave detectors in Italy and the US, called LIGO and Virgo,”. Actually the one in US is LIGO, the on in Italy is Virgo. LIGO of US has 2 locations. One is your state, Louisiana. The other one is in my state, Washington.
Is CNN using non-science background college interim for their science reporting? They are pretty cheap if so.
(no message)
(no message)
(no message)
The neutron star is likely still sitting at the event horizon of the black hole. And will sit there for the entire lifetime of the universe due to gravitational time distortion.
From the neutron star’s perspective, it travels through in seconds to oblivion. From everyone else in the universe’s perspective, it never actually gets there.
Mind blown.
Link: https://www.physlink.com/education/askexperts/ae564.cfm
(no message)