Tackling the Genius of Mr. Einstein

On September 18, 2006, BBC News reporter Jonathan Amos informs in the online article “Dead stars provide Einstein test’” (found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5356910.stm) that scientists have found validity in Albert Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity by studying a set of inactive stars.

The concept of General Relativity explains that objects of different mass are attracted to one another because of the ability of space to curve. Professor Michael Kramer of the University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Observatory led a team of researchers who observed a double pulsar system of two dead stars situated 2,000 light-years from Earth. These stars ran out of nuclear energy and exploded to leave behind sections of their neutron cores. As the cores orbit around each other, they discharge columns of radio waves that can be detected from Earth, acting like galactic space clocks. By studying the effects of each core’s radio waves in the other’s warped space-time, the scientists set up an ideal test for Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. Measuring the delay of the radio beams that pass through the curved space of the other pulsating core, the researchers proved Einstein’s calculations within a margin of 0.05-percent.

Since its publication in 1916, Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity has stood very firm in its findings for almost a century. He predicted that a double pulsar system, like the one studied by Kramer and his team, should also discharge gravitational waves as the two cores slowly come together. Though indirect proof of this concept was found – the two stars are attracted to each other at 7mm a day – there is no direct evidence to support the stars emitting gravitational pulls. The preparation for more long-term studies is evident to the scientists. Kramer realizes that Einstein’s theory most likely needs to be updated due to encompass large-scale application and quantum mechanics. Time, literally, seems to not be on the side of Kramer and his team. Three years since the discovery of their double pulsar system has finally yielded them with results, and they have decades of solid theory that they must attempt to alter. The motivation to detect these elusive gravitational waves in places such as black holes, and to find the “breaking point,” as Kramer put it, empowers these scientists to crack the fundamentals of Einstein’s long held theory. Even very well-respected scientific professionals are taking the chance on the theories they learned and trying to improve and expound them. Kramer and his team want to continually dig objectively deeper beyond the surface of science, and the fact that they did such a test as this shows their determination to make sure knowledge is accurately supported and valid.

I found this research extremely interesting, as it finally allowed me to understand one of Einstein’s concepts, which often enough are presented to students in methods seem to boil extremely complex ideas into simple and abstract formulas and theories. However, I find it hard to embrace the full accomplishments of this discovery, as much of the public commonly does, as physical astronomy does not necessarily apply directly to our everyday lives in any pragmatic manner. Yet, it is rare that one hears of scientists confronting a well-respected intelligence from history. At the same time as it is refreshing and unexpected, such a confrontation cannot help but raise the issue of how we should initially trust what we have been taught. This serves as a good reminder to always keep asking questions and asking “why?”