Theory of Relativity in Space: Latest science, tests and images

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Latest about theory of relativity

an abstract view of a wormhole with a clock overlaid

What is time?

By Jonathan O'Callaghan, How It Works magazine last updated

Here's how time works, according to science.

The Universe
Humankind has been fascinated by time-travel for centuries.

Can we time travel? A theoretical physicist provides some answers

By Peter Watson published

Can we time travel like they do in the movies? The laws of physics might forbid it.

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Shutterstock

Curious Kids: What would happen if someone moved at twice the speed of light?

By Sam Baron published

According Einstein's Theory of Relativity, the speed of light operates as a universal speed limit on anything with mass.

Space Exploration
Special relativity equation (E=mc^2) on a chalkboard.

Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity

By Vicky Stein last updated

Einstein's paper on special relativity revolutionized light, light speed, matter and energy with a deceptively simple equation.

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Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity holds that massive objects cause a distortion in space-time, which is felt as gravity. This image is an artist's depiction of colliding black holes causing gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space-time.

Curvature of space-time measured using 'atomic fountain'

By Rahul Rao published

A group of physicists has measured gravity using the effects of time dilation — the slowing of time imparted by increased velocity or gravitational force — on atoms.

The Universe
Artist’s impression of a pulsar, including the extreme magnetic field surrounding the dense stellar object.

Einstein's theory of general relativity passes one of its toughest tests yet

By Mike Wall published

Scientists tested seven different predictions, in one of the most ambitious and involved challenges to general relativity ever undertaken — and the theory passed with flying colors.

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In this illustration, a pulsar (PSR J0337-1715) is shown with two white dwarf companions. The green mesh illustrates the curvature of space-time caused by the different masses. (Size and distances of the three components are not to scale.)

Einstein's core idea about gravity just passed an extreme, whirling test in deep space

By Rafi Letzter published

Once again, physicists have confirmed one of Albert Einstein's core ideas about gravity and relativity — this time with the help of a neutron star flashing across space.

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Scientists tested Galileo and Einstein's theories by dropping two objects inside this satellite named MICROSCOPE (artist's impression).

Why physicists are determined to prove Galileo and Einstein wrong

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Physicists dropped objects on a satellite for two years to test Galileo's theory of falling objects.

The Universe
The simulated galaxy visualized from above, with the dark central regions corresponding to standard forces and the bright yellow regions corresponding to modified forces.

Move Over, Einstein! 'Chameleon' Theory Provides Alternate Explanation for Cosmos Formation

By Passant Rabie last updated

Scientists created a computer simulation to test an alternative theory to the evolution of the cosmos.

The Universe
In this Hubble Space Telescope view of the distant quasar RXJ1131-1231, a foreground galaxy smears the image of the background quasar into a bright arc (left) and creates a total of four images — a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing.

Einstein's Gravitational Lenses Could Clear Up Roiling Debate on Expanding Cosmos

By Charles Q. Choi published

Warps in the fabric of space-time can act like magnifying glasses, and that may help solve a cosmic mystery about the rate of the universe's expansion, a new study found.

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