My husband wanted to know
2007-09-12 15:08:21 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
lets find out
looks like everything is going fine. still analysing the data, but there don't seem to be any major problems with any of it
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/168809main_gpb_nutshell-0506.pdf
2007-09-12 15:18:59 · answer #1 · answered by Mercury 2010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Still flying, and being used for some simple experiments. The main data collection for the frame dragging experiment is over as the cryogens ran out just about two years ago now. The first look at the rough data demonstrating higher order GR effects has been published (I think it was early this year.) Now a very lengthy and rigorous data calibration is taking place with lots of checking and re-checking. If memory serves, December of this year is when the final results confirming or refuting frame dragging to some precision will be publicly released.
[Edit: Sounds like Eri got the real poop; I guess I am just too much out of the astro loop these days. Too bad about GP-B. Well, it was an ambitious experiment, and maybe someone will be able to do a better job on the data if the raw has been posted someplace.]
2007-09-12 15:24:53 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Quark 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The results were rather unimpressive. It was supposed to detect frame-dragging, one of the results of Einsteins' Theory of General Relativity. Unlike the highly successful Gravity Probe A, B had so many calibration problems that in the end they couldn't determine if they had even picked up the signal they were looking for. It was simply too faint for the complications involved. Disappointing.
2007-09-12 15:25:03 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's still doing its job, but apparently there are no positive results yet. Here's the mission home page which has all the latest developments ==>http://einstein.stanford.edu/
2007-09-12 15:33:55 · answer #4 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋