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From mysterystevenson (Original Message) Sent 1222005 745 AM

 

I believe in Photons as Particles, The extreme speed of these particles makes observation very difficult. What is observed is the waves these particles generate. These waves have an effect on space - time and our observation thereof. Much as the warping of space by Mass (Gravity) effects space - time.

Therefore the waves generated by particles are real and so are the particles themselves. Interactions are possible with both. There is no need to argue for one or the other. They both exist.

Mystery

PS , is there a possibility that photons actually travel just slightly faster than the speed of light, and yet when measurement by observer is taken we find that the photon has travelled at the speed of light How could something that sounds so illogical actually be fact TIME will tell.

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From mysterystevenson in response to Message 2 Sent 1242005 1257 AM

 

Old Notes (Physics)( Stevenson)

These partial out of sequence rough drafts contain very little that was not known by physics at that time, but may indicate a direction of thought which was being taken by me at that time.

 

 

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From mysterystevenson (Original Message) Sent 12232004 428 PM

 

 

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Question

Of the following, which do you feel, would have the greatest distortion effect on a gravitational field?

 

Responses

Choices Votes %

MASS 2 20.00%

MAGNET -(having both mass and magnetic field) 1 10.00%

STEEL 0 0.00%

COPPER 0 0.00%

GYROSCOPE 2 20.00%

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD 0 0.00%

CONCENTRATED NUCLEAR ENERGY 0 0.00%

SUPER COLD MASS ( super conductive) 1 10.00%

ELECTRON EMISSIDNS (ionic and/or lifter propulsions) 0 0.00%

SUPER HOT MASS 0 0.00%

INERTIA **************************************************** 3 30.00%

VORTEX THEORY 1 10.00%

PLASMA 0 0.00%

BOOTSTRAP CONCEPT 0 0.00%

OTHER (please explain your idea in a post) 0 0.00%

 

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Question

What is the speed of gravity ?

 

Responses

Choices Votes %

At or below the speed of sound. 0 0.00%

At or below the speed of light. 3 37.50%

Faster than the speed of light. 3 37.50%

Instantaneous. 2 25.00%

 

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Question

When do you think the first Manmade Gravitationally Propelled space craft will be launched into space?

 

Responses

Choices Votes %

Within 1 year 0 0.00%

Within 2 years 1 20.00%

Within 5 years 1 20.00%

Within 10 years 2 40.00%

Within 25 years 0 0.00%

Within 50 years 0 0.00%

Within 100 years 0 0.00%

NEVER 0 0.00%

Are you joking, we did that years ago! 1 20.00%

other,---please explain in a post ... 0 0.00%

 

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Question

What level of interest do you have in science ?

 

Responses

Choices Votes %

I am considering building a prototype in the near future. 3 21.43%

I am conducting research. 3 21.43%

I would like to help others in research. 2 14.29%

I like to study other peoples research. 0 0.00%

I like to read science articles, but don't want to get invoved.0 0.00%

I am building a prototype now. 5 35.71%

I don't want to do research but would be willing to donate for a scientific cause. 1 7.14%

 

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Question

How could gravity be used in assisting space travel ?

 

Responses

Choices

 

Antigravity 1 16.67%

Slingshot effect 1 16.67%

stationary orbit 1 16.67%

gravitational interaction propulsion 3 50.00%

other, explain in post... 0 0.00%

 

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to place something in the Public Domain without someone else

coming along and patenting the idea and mothballing it, so it becomes virtually useless. A free process for placing something in the Public Domain would be nice, for those that wish to do good for mankind, and have a helpfull invention that they don't want suppressed. There are many opinions on these matters, but I would like to get a true Patent Lawyer who is current on the latest Patent Law to answer these questions if there is anyone who is willing to

do so.

 

 

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From: "Mr Jim Stevenson" <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Sun Feb 6, 2005 2:59 pm

Subject: Re: Quick Question about Technologies

 

Tim Ventura,

Welcome,

I will get straight to your questions, with the

understanding that I will mainly be speaking of my work at first and

will touch on some of the group's work at the end. However I must

say that there is much about my work (now) that I don't discuss here

in this PUBLIC forum, and there are some things which quite a number

of the members have asked me to retain in confidence, however I do

discuss some parts beyond what is here, in the forum in the chat

room here at 8PM Arizona Time Zone every night, voice and text. Also

I can be contacted by email.

Questions;

(1)

I have built and tested roughly 40 different devices since

I began experimenting in this area (Gravitational Propulsion) around

1980. I have had about a 95% success rate , with these devices.

Those devices which failed, were mainly due to structural weakness,

not theoretical error. In the failures, a structural redesign with

the same end result in mind, eventually was successful.

(2)

In the devices that I have constructed by myself, the

majority of these devices in this arena of study have operated on a

straight forward interaction between Gravity and the Gravitationally

interactive parts of the machine, ( in the simplest forms the G

interactive parts have been concentrated areas of Mass )

From the simplest devices to the more complex devices;

they have also interacted, with the surface of the machine, with the

environment it is resting upon, with the aerodynamic environment it

is within ( G / Magnus Effect ), and ultimately a dual interaction

with gravitational fields ( G / G ). I further believe that this

device will be able to function in interaction with the fabfic of

space, however I have yet to prove this speculation and believe that

prudent backup propulsion would be wise.

(3)

In the NSF application, which was back in the mid

eighties, I have to admit now that I had actually built an operable

device before I applied for the grant. At that time there was a lot

of resistance to any concepts that had any association with Gravity,

so what I was attempting to do was establish a basis for further

research in this area. I demonstrated a simple remote controlled

sphere to a high official at NSF, before I was encouraged to submit

a proposal.

The Proposed device was operable through it's parts

interaction with Gravity, and through it's surface with it's

environment (Land, Water,Air) Furthermore , it had Gyro Stabilizers

which aided in extraordinary control, added torque when properly

positioned, and supermaneuverability.

For a more detailed research on the NSF Application and

it's review and related theory, I would suggest you go into the

Files section on the left side bar of this page and look for 2 file

folders; 1 is "History Stevenson", 2 is "Stevenson Science". Within

these folders are secreted multiple ZIP FILES, that contain high res

copies of original documents and data. A few of these documents are

in the photos section, but are not as high res.The files on the left

are not accessible by the public, but are open to members and may be

downloaded. Also unlike certain documents that have failed scrutiny

by experts in recent news - these documents are authentic , and may

be examined and found to be authentic. After you review these files

you may have more direct questions.

.....................................................................

As to the group's research, everone is encouraged to pursue

their own direction of research, and share as they feel comfortable

here in this public forum, and for more secret concepts they may

discuss said research in our Chats here every night at 8PM Arizona

Time, or by email, snail mail or even by phone , or if really needed

in person.

At this time I invite any of the members that wish to, to post

their ideas or response to this topic, to do so. You may reply to

the original post, so my longwinded response does not make the

thread too long.

The links section has some of our member's web sites listed so

you may go to their sites to review some of their concepts. Also

there are some of their ideas in the files section.You are welcome

to submit any concepts or links for inclusion in our files or links

area to my email address.

One of my concepts for the group is outlined to a degree in a

post called "The Time to Build a Ship has Come". However there is an

amount of secrecy in what I am doing and planning, After my

experiences with the Government's duplicity, which I believe was

really motivated by a few in power with an eye to greed, I use a

touch of caution...

Mystery

 

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From: jim stevenson <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Wed Feb 2, 2005 7:27 pm

Subject: Re: gravitationalpropulsionstevenson A small, small world...

 

Part of my gyro searches. Always interested. I've talked with a number of the major gyro manufacturers and some of the smallest tinkerers. I know what i've done and I like to see what other's are learning. Although I came up with a different model for "space" in the mid eighties that lets me pedict behaviors of force that are not included in standard theories of gyroscopic force and inertia, still what other's are doing interests me. There are many roads.

Mystery

 

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From: "Mr Jim Stevenson" <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Fri Mar 26, 2004 5:35 pm

Subject: new unifying theory soon to be released..

 

For more information on the grand unified theory of everything and some of the concepts associated with it please click on this link for all the latest... very interesting...

http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/26mar_einstein.htm?list661109

if the link can't be clicked, on you may need to copy and paste into the address bar then hit enter.

Mystery

 

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From: "Mr Jim Stevenson" <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Sun Jan 23, 2005 1:49 pm

Subject: How could the Ancient Pyramids Been Built

 

I was recently thinking about how the ancient Egyptians were able to build the pyramids. I came up with an idea that I discussed in a few chat rooms, but it didn't go over too well. Most people are at either ends of the issue, either massive numbers of slaves pulled the massive blocks into place or UFO's levitated them in place.Supposedly the space aliens needed a reference on the surface of Earth to navigate by,(boy if they didn't have a better system than that...)

My concept was fairly simple by today's means. It was known in ancient Egypt, that the Nile flooded roughly every 7 years.It was my suggestion that a sand Dike could have been built right around the area where the Pyramid was to be built, and if needed a small area of water locks could be built from the Nile to the Pyramid construction site.

As the giant blocks that were cut and floated down the Nile, they could be guided into these locks and slowly "floated" (You knew GRAVITY had to be involved somehow ) above the place where they were to be lowered into place. I suppose one barge was required to float the block down the Nile, while a second was needed at the construction site on the other side of the block to help balance out the lowering of the block into place via ropes.

After the project was finished the sand dikes could be removed, and people would marvel for thousands of years.

Mystery

 

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From: "Mr Jim Stevenson" <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Fri Dec 24, 2004 4:57 pm

Subject: Re: build a ship... 2

 

In orbital mechanics G (Gravity) is a major factor throughout. When speaking of the planet's orbital velocity, one can not forget the influence of the effect of G force from the sun and other celestrial bodies in determining the full picture. Yes that could even be said to invole the relative small G effect of a small spacecrafts flyby. None the less the spacecraft's normal flight would not even be perturbed if the Planet or sun's G force were not part of the equation. G force could still be used in such a manner if we were speaking of a rogue planet that was relatively still in deepest space and a spacecraft wanted to make use of it's G force.

That is all I was trying to establish that G interaction can be used to alter the path or motion of another object in a direction other than that of the actual G force. I was not suggesting that the so called "slingshot effect" was the actual effect that was going to be used in the propulsion system specifically under discussion. I have heard others talk of the use of a slightly elliptical flight plan for a scramjet to use to try to attempt to achieve orbital velocity, but my plans have nothing like that in mind.

As to the sphere under consideration, you mentioned that it did not defy G. As I had said in the prior message I am not attempting to defy G, I am attempting to use an interactionn with G in order to propel. Think of the sphere as only being on a flat surface Tape a quarter on the outside of the sphere (if the sphere is light enough) and the weight of the quarter will make the sphere's center of G to be off center and the sphere will attempt to equalize it's center of G. In some of the more advanced sphere's which I built, I included Gyroscopes which increased the potential torque that could be aplied to an interior axle and then very steep hills could be climbed. It was at this point that friction did become an important factor, but,there were other factors involved, although I must admit that there "may" be a special interaction that occurs between gyroscopes and G.

I don't feel that the sphere is an inertial propulsion device, due to the above decriptions, I classify it in it's earliest form as a "Direct G Interaction Propulsion Device". In another thought experiment think of the hamster in his wheel. When he moves his weight forward in the wheel the wheel is set in rotational motion.When this specific experiment is used we can say; an artificially induced unbalanced cener of G causes rotational motion.

As long as the wheel is suspended and restained, there is no propulsive effect allowed to occur. But we are able to make a statement if we wish, involving the interaction between G , energy, and rotational motion. I destroyed several filecases of such formula years ago, and have kept what I wished to retain locked in my mind ever since, and try not to bring to remebrance those things I choose to forget.So I hope you realize that in many of my statements I am merely going over old portions of the theory behind some of the concepts, but I am not disclosing at the present time how the main propulsion system which I am not even attempting to reconstruct at the present time, works in it's entirety, as that remains

confidential.

So with what I do share in that regard, realise we are only talking background theory and do not jump to the conclusion that somehow what I have said would actually be the main design behind the GPU system. Right now what we need to concentate on is additional propulsion systems that will supply multiple redundancy in a craft's design and the energy subsytems that will supply power for those systems. Actually in my mind the energy supplies will be perhaps amongst the geatest challenges we face. The tradeoffs in mass for multiple energy resources, and batteries etc. are very great.

Mystery

 

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From: "Mr Jim Stevenson" <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Thu Dec 23, 2004 8:22 pm

Subject: Time to build a Ship -2-

 

First off let me say that I have no wishes to overturn Newton. I feel that his thought exeriments for his time period were nothing short of amazing. Furthermore I must say that his theories have by and large retained their validity despite some nitpicking from modern science.I only hope that Einstein's theories hold up as well after such a long time period has elapsed. By the way, in our links section we have a link to the Gravity B experiment, that hopes to tell us more about gravity as well as may help to confirm some of Einstein's work. Go Albert.

Also from the first section of this thread, there was discussion of the possibility of breaking some of the laws of thermodynamics. Alas, of the propulsion systems now under consideration, all will require the input of a fair amount of energy. So "unfortunately", we will still not be able to "get something for nothing" Although we do hope to be able to reduce the

amount of energy required to achieve orbit, or go anywhere in space ,by a substantial amount, it's still not a free ride by any means. That is part of the reason we will need to begin testing subsystems that will supply said energy as discussed before: solar and so on... Sometime in the future even a small nuclear engine could be considered, but for us that is a ways off.

As to the Gravitational Propulsion angle, which we are only skirting the issue about, here, in this public forum. I am sure most of us have heard of the slingshot effect whereby spacecraft gain acceleration in a predetermined direction by using the gravitational well of a planet, this in and by itself supplies proof of concept; that a Gravitational Force can be employed to cause a motion in a direction other than that of the force.

This I do not refer to as "anti-gravity", rather I refer to this as an Interaction WITH GRAVITY. I also refer you again to some of my earlier writings which were published in the mid eighties and are in our files section listed under Gravitational Propulsion. Much as a sailboat is able to interact with the force of the wind, in order to travel in a direction other than that direction in which the force of the wind is pushing. A proof of concept involving wind interactions can be established.

With some of the earliest of my designs, whereby a sphere could be made out of balance by lifting a weight by supplying energy (electricity) to a motor on an axle, and when this device was directed up a hill it could by lifting an interior weight climb the hill. That device remained attached to the earth but it once again demonstrated that by utilizing an interaction with gravity, you could cause motion in a direction other than that of the natural flow of gravity. None of the effects described violates Newton's

Laws. In fact they depend upon using Newton's laws to interact gravitationally with mass, and they further will depend on

Einstein's gravitational theories in order to work in space - whereby space is warped and interacts with mass...I have an eye for things that work, and so even though everything is not being disclosed on my work now, I have good reason in my pursuit.

Then again there are other propulsion concepts that we are working on as well, as with all of the systems it is wise to have triple redundancy, most of my thoughts on that can be reviewed in the earlier posts however. I might list some of the systems here as I don't think we have listed all in this forum yet , so others with concepts please feel free to put your ideas here as well.

Small chemical retro rockets. Laser Space turbo-jet concept. Inertial Drive. Small"Electro-jet-arc Ion Drive. ChemicalMolecular Vacuum Reaction Drive.

I know there are some others that the people who are working on them don't want disclosed, and I am most likely forgeting some because I am only pulling most of this off the top of my head, but yes we have plenty to work on. And plenty to test on a vehicle even if our first test vehicle is limited for the best part to the earth.The better the systems we develope and the faster, then the sooner we can get where we really want to go.

Thanks,

Mystery

 

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From: "Mr Jim Stevenson" <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Thu Nov 11, 2004 1:43 am

Subject: GPS GROUP UPDATE and Optical Magnus Effect

 

 

The Optical Magnus Effect is very close to some of my

earlier particle concepts involving rotation and spin in the

propagation of light. Now current physics is coming very close to

where my theories began. Here are some examples that have been in

our FILES section in the sidebar to the left for some time. Most are

from Stevenson and Science Files, many of the best images are in

hidden Zip files.

From page 4 in my 1980's Gravitational Propulsion Theory ;

" From my study of these interactions I must state that there

must be many different forms of warping of space, and hence

different behaviors. Indeed working backwards in a fashion, I have

determined that certain behaviors of different particles determine

their behavior in space. In short one might say that certain

particles are propelled through space by the way they warp that

space. ( For example : Photons )"

From page 6 in my 1983 Public Domain Sphere;

" 3. Aerodynamic Model. The same basic design goes for

this model, however you may wish to modify with a larger motor and

more power. Suspended by swivels attached to the axle points on the

exterior of the sphere, and lines from these swivels to poles, the

principle of the sphere can be used to test aerodynamic behavior of

a variety of different rotating objects.Shapes can be varied- ...

This type of testing may lead to other textures"

 

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Here are some definitions to help explain the meaning

of The Optical Magnus Effect;

 

OPTICAL MAGNUS EFFECT ;

A rotation of the modal noise pattern generated in an optical fiber when

the illuminating light polarization is switched from right-handed

circular to left-handed circular. It demonstrates the spin-orbit interaction of a photon.Here is a second definition which is slightly more

advanced ;

"Optical Magnus effect" ;

It is predicted theoretically and registered

experimentally that the speckle pattern of a laser beam transmitted

through a multimode fiber undergoes an angular shift from the

switching of the chirality of the polarization. The effect may be

considered as the result of the spin-orbit interaction for the

photon in the inhomogeneous medium.

 

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It might actually help you to understand the spin and/or

rotation factors if I give you my definition of the original old

Magnus Effect as it was thought of in general physics before the

term was applied to optical physics, this deinition is from our

Advanced Propulsions Definitions Page;

MAGNUS EFFECT ;

The lift or force generated perpendicular to the

directional movement of a rotating object , such as a sphere ,

cylinder , or disk. Named after Heinrich Magnus who did a study of

aerodynamic forces on spinning spheres and cylinders in 1852. Isacc

Newton had mentioned the effect as early as 1672.

 

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Here is a link to a very well thought out research paper on the

Optical Magnus Effect and I recommend it to anyone wishing to

further study this subject;

http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://132.236.180.11/PS_cache/physics/pdf/0402/0402110.pdf

 

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It seems that perhaps when we decide to come forth with our

systems proposal we may have a much firmer "physics ground" to stand

upon due to several ongoing researches such as this, that will tend

to support the construction of a major propulsion system. I feel

that we will need more subsystems work done before a full blown

project can be attempted. And it would be helpfull if a working

staff could be gathered together to begin testing subsystems and

constructing test prototypes incorporating said subsystems and

forming working relationships preparing for "the work"...

Thanks all,

Mystery

 

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From: "Mr Jim Stevenson" <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:20 pm

Subject: LETS Build A SHIP , The Time has Come to Begin.

 

Recently in our nightly chats some new concepts have been put

out on the drawing board for discussion. The one I really liked the

best is the one for the testing of subsystems that could be used in

space by the construction of a modular vessel that would be employed

here on earth.

The challenges as I understand them to be, would be to create a

vessel that could travel through a rough environment (Sea) with air

tight compartments, operating with multiple environmentally safe and

stable energy sources (Solar etc.), And new and hopefully unique

propulsion systems (Inertial, Impulse, Rocket and or Jet) With

mutiple back up systems in all categories.

All the while, this vehicle must be capable of conducting REAL

research, having on board an operating laboratory, and multiple

research objectives in mind. One objective being to evaluate the

operation of said vessel. Another research objective that has been

suggested has been the active study of multiple "dead zones" which

have been forming in many of the worlds seas. An area that seems to

be now in danger is in the Florida Keys, and yet nearby in the

Bahamas there have been very few of the changes , allowing for

a "temporary" time period of research to be conducted on the actual

changes and the relative differences in a small area.

This area also has a temperate climate allowing year round

studies to be possible. There have been some interesting changes of

migrations of certain bird species within this zone as well as sea

mammal populations. All in all a wonderfull place filled with

potential for research which could try the abilities of any research

vessel undergoing systems and operational testing. We would want to

get a lot of bang out of our bucks for what we have planned. And

this area even has some magnetic anomalies that have played havoc

with navigation for centuries.

We have discussed constructing a modular vessel constructed

out of sealable cylinders, namely used/recycled propane tanks

roughly 10ft, by 40-50 ft. in a tri hull configuration , with a

superstructure and nacelle designs allowing travel through out all

interior areas without exiting to the exterior for any reson related

to the vessels operation. Remember this is to be a model systems

test vessel for eventual spacecraft design and as such will exceed

the normal design parameters for an ocean going vessel. As such if

the entire vessel were to be submerged to a depth of say 100 ft. ,

it should remain airtight in all areas. While the intent is not to

build a submarine, none the less the capacity and potential may

equate, without the inclusion of ballast tank for such a purpose.

It has also been suggested that certain optical systems be

incorporated, including fiber optics, not just for informational

systems, but also for what would normally considered heavy work

loads, such as but not limited to transmission of light for general

lighting sources and even transmission of laser light for possible

cooking / heating / and eventually an adjunct to propulsion systems

as they are eventually (possibly) integrated in a steam / turbo

jet / or ion drive system.

We are only in the beginning phase of what will become a

potentially very large project, with possible world wide

implications. We need all the IDEAS we can get now. Some of you know

a little of what we have discovered, so you know where eventually we

want to go.

I will stop now, as I have said enough to get out the idea

as to what point we are now at. Any Ideas are now welcome in any

area. Many of you know my address and / or phone number. Any of

these methods may be used to set up a more private "meeting" if the

subject matter needs security considerations.

Thankyou,

Mystery

James Stevenson

 

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From: "Mr Jim Stevenson" <http://web.archive.org/web/20070818184432/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gravitationalpropulsionstevenson/

Date: Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:36 pm

Subject: Re: Response from NASA on Earthquake "G" Shockwave Effect on Gravity B Experiment

 

Have had a reply from NASA, the short version is there should

be little or no effect. As for the long version which is of some

interest, it will follow.

Mystery

=====================================================================

Richard Gross, a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in

Pasadena, California, has modeled the coseismic effect on the

Earth's rotation of the December 26 earthquake in Indonesia by using

the PREM model for the elastic properties of the Earth and the

Harvard centroid-moment tensor solution for the source properties of

the earthquake. The result of this modeling is:

Change in length of day: -2.676 microseconds (about one second in a

millennium)

X-axis polar motion excitation: -0.670 milliarcseconds

(approximately 2 centimeters or 0.8 inches)

Y-axis polar motion excitation: +0.475 milliarcseconds

(approximately 1.5 centimeters or 0.6 inches)

Since the length of the day can only be measured to an accuracy of

about 20 microseconds (20 millionths of a second), this model

predicts that the change in the length-of-day caused by the

earthquake is too small to be observed. And, since the location of

the earthquake was near the equator, this model predicts that the

change in polar motion excitation is also rather small, being about

0.82 milliarcsecond in amplitude. Such a small change in polar

motion excitation will also be difficult to detect.

Nevertheless, at a science conference in Utah last week, Professor

Ulrich Schreiber of the Munich Technical University in Germany

reported that his Earth-based, ultra-precise "G" ring laser

gyroscope was able to detect perturbations in the Earth's axis as a

result of the Indonesian earthquake. This gyroscope--the largest of

its kind in the world--contains a giant glass ceramic disc, 4.25

meters in diameter, 25 centimeters thick and weighing 10 tons. It is

located in a sealed and pressurized chamber, eight meters below the

surface of the Earth, at the Wettzell Fundamental Research Station

in New Zealand. This instrument was specifically designed to be able

to detect changes in the Earth's rotation within a day. For more

information on the "G" ring laser gyroscope, see a 1996 article on

the Web site of the International Society for Optical Engineering

(SPIE) or download a PDF copy of a 2003 paper from the Wettzell

Fundamental Research Station.

In contrast, the GP-B gyroscopes have not detected any measurable

effect as a result of the Indonesian earthquake and tsunami. GP-B is

measuring the curvature and twisting of space-time around the Earth,

not the planet itself. Our spacecraft is in a circular orbit, 640

kilometers (400 miles) above the earth, always passing over the

north and south poles, but varying in its longitudinal path with

each orbit. The extremely small change in the earth's polar motion

resulting from the Indonesian earthquake/tsunami is simply not

significant enough to appear in our measurements. Also, any small

change in the Earth's polar motion will factor itself out, given the

changing longitude of each orbit.

Our measurements do depend on knowing our spacecraft's position

relative to specific locations on Earth to a high precision, and for

these measurements, we use the Global Positioning System (GPS). It

is possible, though highly unlikely, that if a re-calibration in the

GPS satellites is required, we may need to incorporate some

compensating factors.

Gravity Probe B could conceivably register a change in Earth's polar

orbit, if the change were of immense proportions. For example,

suppose the earth's spin axis were to change position by 3 degrees.

This would significantly affect local space-time, and this change

would be detectable by the science instruments on-board the

spacecraft. However, such a change would require a cataclysmic

event, ten million times larger than the Indonesian earthquake and

tsunami—an event that would mean the end of Planet Earth, as we know

it.