Are there any scientists today that still believe in the ether of space?

Question

And how do they conclude that it must exist?

Answer 1

The ether (or aether) theory was first proposed in 1705 by Newton as a way to explain the reflection of light waves in the upper regions of space beyond the clouds. The existence of electromagnetic waves led some physicists to suggest that the universe was filled with a substance called ether. Luminiferous ether, as it was called, became the medium for the propegation of light. It was fixed or motionless, yet elastic. Complex experiments in the late 1800's failed to detect ether. In 1905, the theory was superseded by Einstein's specialized theory of relativity E=mc2.

Today, there is still no evidence of ether's existence. However, old theories die hard as is evidenced by the flat Earth and hollow Earth societies. A number of new concepts have been proposed in recent years. However, most of these differ considerably from the classical ether theory. In 2006, papers were written by Ole D. Rughede and Reg T. Cahill. More noteably, two physicists from the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics in Catania, Sicily have proposed experiments.

An accepted use of the word ether today is to call empty space with its gravitational and electromagnetic fields ether. As long as at the same time you are not denoting it as a substance with it's traditional attributes and you are not speaking of motion relative to the ether.

Answer 2

From Aristole ,Democritus ,Newton,Maxwell just to name some (as its too numerous to name them all) and Including Einstein defended the Existance of the Aether.
They concluded that it exists because they could not reconcile that the Earth and the moon and galaxies just dont hang on nothing to keep them suspended.
Today there are many theories which explain the Existance of the Aether. One of the Best one was Einstein theory of General relativity which made a model of the Aether to explain Gravity in terms of space curvature.. But had too much complicated math to explain it in simple terms.

An interesting recent analysis of the Aether is found in Quantum Aether Dynamics of David Thomson & Jim Bourassa., in which is described one common Unified Force theory of the Universe stemming from the Presence of the subtance of space which they call Aether. As for me I prefer to call it Dark matter, because its not visible.

Answer 3

I don't think any self-respecting scientist believes the ether exists now. It was disproved over 100 years ago, and in that time we still haven't found a better theory than Relativity.

Answer 4

Sure. Not every extended conformation in the four-dimensional world can be regarded as composed of worldthreads. The special theory of relativity forbids us to assume the ether to consist of particles observable through time, but the hypothesis of ether in itself is not in conflict with the special theory of relativity. Only we must be on our guard against ascribing a state of motion to the ether.

Answer 5

I hope not.