http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=000EAE27-8B64-1085-8B6483414B7F0000
". . .GP-B will be attempting to measure the angle at which earth is curving its surrounding spacetime, a phenomenon known as the geodetic effect. The second prediction of general relativity that GP-B is testing is known as frame dragging, which is caused by a spinning celestial body dragging spacetime with it ever so slightly as it turns. Measuring this so-called gravitomagnetic force would be a first for scientists. Both disturbances are incredibly small: investigators anticipate that the gyroscopes will drift just 6.6 arcseconds in relation to a guide star because of the geodetic effect . (An arcsecond is 1/3600 of a degree and is equivalent to the width of a dime as seen from a distance of two kilometers.)"
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". . .GP-B will be attempting to measure the angle at which earth is curving its surrounding spacetime, a phenomenon known as the geodetic effect. The second prediction of general relativity that GP-B is testing is known as frame dragging, which is caused by a spinning celestial body dragging spacetime with it ever so slightly as it turns. Measuring this so-called gravitomagnetic force would be a first for scientists. Both disturbances are incredibly small: investigators anticipate that the gyroscopes will drift just 6.6 arcseconds in relation to a guide star because of the geodetic effect . (An arcsecond is 1/3600 of a degree and is equivalent to the width of a dime as seen from a distance of two kilometers.)"
--
The Design-L list for art and architecture, since 1992...
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Visit archives: http://lists.psu.edu/archives/design-l.html