Space Experiment Proposed for Theories of Relativistic Gravitation

Abhijit Biswas, Krishnan RS Mani *

Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Calcutta 700 032, India
_______________________________________________________________________________

Abstract

The speed of light ‘c’ was first proven to be finite by Ole Romer in 1676. In the post-Maxwellian era,
sensing the tide of discoveries in electro-magnetism, Einstein replaced Newton's three absolutes --- mass,
time and space, with c, which thus gained an important status amongst the fundamental constants of nature.
Many earthbound experiments after the first one by Fizeau in 1849, were conducted for determination of c
till 1983, when it was frozen at a fixed value after determining it at an accuracy level of a fraction of a meter
per second. Half a century before space age, Einstein had to adopt its terrestrial value to be the limiting
speed of all natural phenomena. Einstein later stated that light rays could curve only when c varied with
position. Many experiments have been conducted to prove light deflection, but none so far for direct
determination of the truly local value of c at locations closer to sun. To verify important aspects of relativity
theories, NASA had commendably planned many costly experiments, and hence, can now be expected to
expeditiously plan and execute a low cost experiment proposed here, so as to verify the effect of the strong
solar gravitational field on c.

PACS(2008): 04.80.Cc

Key words: Speed of light, relativity theory, special relativity, general relativity, space experiment

* E-mail: godopy@vsnl.com , godopy@gmail.com

1. Introduction:

In physics, light has proven to be very mysterious and thus comprehension of various aspects of light has a
long history of formation of initial intuitive concepts that reigned for sufficiently long periods of time, and
that finally gave way to improved concepts after sustained efforts by theoretical and experimental physicists.
Among such discoveries, the following surprises or crowning achievements can be listed.
• Ole Römer first calculated from the anomalous eclipse times of Jupiter's inner moon (named Io),
and reported a finite magnitude of c in 1676 against the prevalent concept of its infinite magnitude
advocated by Descartes and Cassini.
• The hypothesis of infinite speed was finally discredited after James Bradley independently
confirmed the finite speed from his discovery of the “aberration of light” in 1728.
• The emergence of the speed of light (c) from Maxwell’s electro-magnetic theory.
• Michelson improved on Foucault's method during 1878-82, and measured very accurately the speed
as 299,853 km/s, using an earthbound apparatus; but, in spite of repeated efforts with improved

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 experimental setup, he failed to detect any ether wind. The famous Michelson-Morley experiment
conducted very accurately in 1887, gave a null result.
• The age-old intuition guided ether theory based on analogy with that of propagation of sound, was
ultimately discarded after Einstein presented the apparently mysterious and counter intuitive
concept of relativistic time as a part of his special relativity theory (SRT), which got successfully
verified from various experimental tests.

During World War II, the development of the cavity resonance wavemeter for use in radar, together with
precision timing methods, opened the way to laboratory-based measurements of c. Thus, by 1950, from
repeated measurements using Cavity Resonator, Essen established a result of 299,792.5±1 km/s, which
became the value adopted by the 12th General Assembly of the Radio-Scientific Union in 1957.

In modern physics, c gained a more important status amongst the fundamental constants of nature, and many
earthbound experiments were conducted for its determination till 1983, when it was frozen at a fixed value
after determining it up to an accuracy level of a fraction of a meter per second. But, even after almost half a
century of space-age experimentation on various aspects of light and relativity theory, no experiment has so
far been conducted to determine the truly local speed of light at locations closer to the sun. Hence, the
authors are proposing a low cost experiment in this paper as regards an important prediction of Einstein’s
general relativity theory (GRT) as well as that of the Remodeled Relativity Theory (RRT) as discussed
below and presented in the earlier papers [1-4] by the authors. This experiment will verify the effect of solar
gravitational field on c, and will provide a direct and truly local measurement of c beyond the earth.

2. Adoption of a Fixed Value for the Speed of Light

In a bid to have a more precise ‘redefinition of the meter’, it was proposed to define the meter in terms of
the second and a fixed numerical value, 299,792.458 m/s, for c, the speed of light [5]. Based on the prevalent
concepts on the various aspects of velocity of light, the Comité Consultatif pour la Définition du Mètre
(CCDM), in June 1973, adopted the above value of c in its Recommendation M2 on the basis of measurements
made up to that time. Use of this value was then recommended in Resolution 2 of the 15th Conférence Général
des Poids et Mesures (CGPM) in 1975 [6]. The CCDM in June 1979, in Recommendation M2, used this value in
proposing a new definition of the meter, based on the second:
"The meter is the length equal to the distance traveled in a time interval of 1/299 792.458 of a second by
plane Electromagnetic waves in vacuum"
Ultimately, keeping unchanged the above recommendation of the 15th CGPM, the speed of light was adopted as
an official constant in 1983, at that fixed numerical value, 299,792.458 m/s, by the 17th CGPM [5]. The last
experimental value was reported as 299,792,458.6 ± 0.3 m/s, based on a 1983 laser measurement by NBS, USA [7].

This adoption of a fixed value for the speed of light came too early after the advent of space age. Perhaps due to
this, no precise local (that is, within a small region of space, where the gravitational field strength can be considered uniform at
the present level of precision) measurement of the magnitude of the speed of light at locations closer to the sun,

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where the solar gravitation may significantly affect it beyond the measurement uncertainties, has been
proposed or reported in the relevant literature till date.

3. GRT and the Velocity of Light

Newton in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries based his theory on three absolutes: mass, time and
space. At the beginning of the twentieth century, sensing that the tide of discoveries in electro-magnetism
indicated a decline of the mechanical view, Einstein formulated his SRT by abandoning the ether theory and
by replacing Newton's three absolutes by a single absolute, the velocity of light c, and established two paired
quantities, space-time and mass-energy, related through the speed of light, which thus gained a more
important status amongst the fundamental constants of nature.
Einstein made a very bold attempt amongst his contemporary physicists by introducing the concept of
relativistic time, which appeared to be so mysterious and counter intuitive that even after seven decades of
successful experimentation, while commissioning the Global Positioning System (GPS), Ashby stated [8]
that when the first Cesium atomic clock was placed in orbit, it was recognized that orbiting clocks would
require a relativistic correction, but there was uncertainty as to its magnitude as well as its sign, and there
were some who even doubted that relativistic effects were truths that would need to be incorporated.
The speed of light continued to play a central role even when Einstein formulated his GRT in 1916. More
than half a century before the advent of space age, when perhaps it was inconceivable to do experiments for
determination of the magnitude of the speed of light in laboratories beyond the earth, Einstein had no other
alternative but to adopt the terrestrial value of c to be the limiting speed of all natural phenomena, while
formulating his relativity theories. But, today after almost half a century after the advent of space age, the
present age physicists should certainly explore on whether and why in nature the terrestrial magnitude of the
speed of light should be equal to the upper limit of velocity for any material body located anywhere in the
universe. The experiment proposed in this paper will provide an answer to the first part of this question, and
perhaps a new perspective for better comprehension of gravity.

In connection with GRT, Einstein [9] had emphasized that the law of the constancy of light velocity in
vacuum, which constituted one of the two fundamental postulates of the SRT, was not valid according to
the GRT, as light rays could curve only when the velocity of propagation of light varies with position. He
also remarked [10] that the SRT could not claim an unlimited domain of validity; as its results held only
so long as it was possible to disregard the influences of gravitational fields on the phenomenon of light
propagation. However, experimental verification of this important prediction of Einstein’s GRT regarding
the influence of gravitational fields on the velocity of light is long overdue.

4. RRT and the Velocity of Light

RRT is an alternative relativistic gravitational model, whose theoretical and mathematical parts have been
dealt in the earlier papers [1 - 4] by the authors. RRT is a remodeled form of Einstein’s relativity theories,

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that retained and incorporated only experimentally proven principles based on the benefits of numerous
space age and the preceding relativistic experiments.
Nevertheless, there exists one remarkable point of difference between GRT and RRT as regards the
magnitude of the speed of light at locations closer to the sun. In GRT, Einstein considered the standard
speed of light to be the limiting speed of all natural phenomena. Whereas, the rigorously determined
magnitude of the velocity of light at a location closer to the sun, using the photon model of RRT, is higher
than the standard magnitude, as obtained from a numerical simulation [2] that simultaneously computes the
results for the Shapiro time delay and light deflection experiments, at their recent accuracy levels.

5. Discussion on the Proposed Experimental Test for the Speed of Light

In view of the discussions above, the authors propose an experiment that should verify the magnitude of the
velocity of light at locations closer to the sun at an accuracy level of at least a fractional metre per second.
This experiment can even be a repetition of the last one conducted for a 1983 laser measurement by NBS,
USA, as mentioned earlier. Even if this experiment is conducted at the same precision level (± 0.3 meter per
sec) as that at which it was carried out in 1983, it will serve the purpose.
Such an experiment can be executed by sending a lander to any one of the planets: Mercury or Venus,
depending on requirements from the point of view of convenience of experimental set up, and cost
considerations.
It is noteworthy to mention here that this space experiment would certainly provide a first ever direct and
truly local measurement of c.
The RRT-predicted value near Mercury and Venus would respectively be equal to 299792465 and
299792462 meters/sec, which are higher than the adopted standard value of c respectively by 7 and 4 meters
per sec. This difference is much higher than even the 1983 precision level of ± 0.3 meter per sec.
If the experimental result disagrees to that of the RRT or GRT, it will lead to new perspectives or new
direction for those who are working on modified theories of gravity. Consequently, this may also lead to
new approach for unification of gravity with other three fundamental interactions.

The result of the proposed experimental test would however not necessitate any immediate change in the
already adopted fixed value of c, or in the definition of the meter adopted by the 17th CGPM in 1983, even
if such result proves to be different from the GRT predicted value, because in any case the terrestrial value
would remain the same.

NASA had commendably planned and executed a very costly and long-term experiment like Gravity Probe-
B, to verify a hitherto unverified (by any direct experiment) but essential aspect of Einstein’s theory of
gravitation. NASA had spent excellent effort on direct experimental detection of gravitational radiation,
another hitherto unverified (by any direct experiment) and essential aspect of Einstein’s GRT, using LIGO.
NASA had in the planning and developmental stage, a few other programs like STEP, LISA, Solar Probes
etc. It can be naturally expected that NASA or similar other research organizations would now expeditiously

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plan and execute the experiment proposed here that will make a direct and truly local measurement of c
from this low cost experiment, so as to test another hitherto unverified and essential aspect of Einstein’s and
other theories of relativistic gravitation.

6. Conclusion

In view of the above, it is expected that NASA or similar other research organizations would now come
forward and actively plan for the proposed experiment, considering the facts that this test
• will provide a first ever direct and truly local measurement of c beyond the earth,
• will provide experimental verification of an important prediction of Einstein’s GRT regarding the
influence of gravitational fields on the velocity of light, which is long overdue,
• will ultimately deepen every relativist’s comprehension of relativity theory and relativistic effects,
• will verify whether in nature the terrestrial magnitude of the speed of light should be equal to the
limiting speed of all natural phenomena,
• will perhaps lead to new perspectives for unification of gravity with other three fundamental
interactions,
• will perhaps lead to new insight or new direction for those who are working on quantum gravity or
modified theories of gravity, and
• will be one of the lowest cost space-age test for GRT as compared to the ones presently under
execution and planning, viz., GP-B, LIGO, STEP, LISA, Solar Probes etc.

7. References:

[1] A. Biswas, and K.R.S. Mani, Remodeled Relativity Theory, Phys. Essays, 20, 218, (2007).
http://dx.doi.org/10.4006/1.3119396

[2] A. Biswas and K.R.S. Mani, Simulation model for Shapiro time delay and light deflection experiments,
Open Phys. 2, 687 (2004). https://doi.org/10.2478/BF02475569

[3] A. Biswas and K.R.S. Mani, Simulation model for anomalous precession of the perihelion of mercury's
orbit, Open Phys. 3, 69 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2478/BF02476507

[4] A. Biswas and K.R.S. Mani, Relativistic Perihelion Precession of Orbits of Venus and the Earth, Open
Phys. 6, 754 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11534-008-0081-6

[5] B.N. Taylor (Ed.): “The International System of Units (SI)”, NIST Special Publication 330, Edn. 2001,
p.37. http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP330/sp330.pdf
[6] K,M, Baird, D.S. Smith, and B.G. Whitford: “Confirmation of the Currently Accepted Value 299792458
Metres per Second for the Speed of Light”, Optics Communications, Vol. 31, (1979), pp.367-368.
[7] T. Wilkie: “Time to Remeasure the Metre”, New Scientist, 100, No. 1381, (1983) pp. 258-263,
[8] N. Ashby, Living Reviews in Relativity, http://relativity.livingreviews.org/Articles/lrr-2003-1/
[9] A. Einstein, Relativity: The Special and General Theory (Methuen & Co., London, 1920).
[10] A. Einstein and L. Infeld, The Evolution of Physics (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1938).

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