This final measured value came in incredibly close to Einstein\u2019s general relativity predictions, carrying a tiny margin of error of just one to two parts per thousand based on their statistical models.<\/p>\n
Post-Einstein physics<\/p>\n
The measurement confirmed general relativity once more, but Ciufolini thinks its true value lies in what it rules out. General relativity is incompatible with quantum mechanics, despite our best efforts to reconcile the two, and does not explain dark energy. The Chern-Simons theory, one of the leading alternatives that emerged from quantum gravity frameworks, modifies Einstein\u2019s equations and introduces mathematical corrections expected to make them work at ultra-small scales where quantum mechanics and gravity must coexist.<\/p>\n
While it does not fully reconcile Einstein\u2019s physics with quantum mechanics and does not offer a universally accepted solution to the dark energy issue, many physicists think Chern-Simons brings us one step closer to the complete Theory of Everything. The problem, though, is that it predicts a different magnitude for frame dragging. \u201cBy measuring frame dragging very precisely, we have been able to put limits on what is predicted by Chern-Simons theory,\u201d Ciufolini said. His measurement does not rule it out, but severely narrows its scope, eliminating a large range of its potential variations.<\/p>\n
But there are other implications of Ciufolini\u2019s study that are more down to Earth\u2014quite literally. By pinpointing and filtering out the gravitational distortion of the K1 tide from the satellites\u2019 tracking data, the experiment also yielded a much more precise measurement of the tide\u2019s actual strength, a bonus finding that could provide new insights for earth science. \u201cMy Chinese colleagues tell me that if we improve the knowledge of tides, we can indirectly improve the study of earthquakes,\u201d Ciufolini said. And he expects the experiment to keep on giving.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese laser-ranged satellites have a peculiar characteristic: They last for hundreds of years,\u201d Ciufolini said. \u201cThe more you wait, the more data you accumulate, and the better the results of frame dragging measurements will be. So, we can wait maybe 100 years, and they\u2019ll become even more useful for theoretical physics.\u201d<\/p>\n