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It was hailed as an elegant confirmation of Einstein's general theory of relativity — but ironically the discovery of gravitational waves earlier this year could herald the first evidence that the theory breaks down at the edge of black holes. Physicists have analysed the publicly released data from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), and claim to have found "echoes" of the waves that seem to contradict general relativity's predictions.
The echoes could yet disappear with more data. If they persist, the finding would be extraordinary. Physicists have predicted that Einstein's hugely successful theory could break down in extreme scenarios, such as at the centre of black holes. The echoes would indicate the even more dramatic possibility that relativity fails at the black hole's edge, far from its core.
If the echoes go away, then general relativity will have withstood a test of its power — previously, it wasn't clear that physicists would be able to test their non-standard predictions.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 24 2016, @07:34AM
In the 21st century, social media will disrupt every aspect of our way of life, but there will be no disrupting science. Einstein is always right, and questioning him is blasphemous.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by stormwyrm on Saturday December 24 2016, @08:12AM
Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 24 2016, @09:29AM
Well, there is no such thing as god, so he was kinda right on it not paying dice.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 25 2016, @07:26AM
The universe plays dice with itself. Ewwww.