Satellite could open door on extra dimension

[TechBear_Seattle]

An exotic theory, which attempts to unify the laws of physics by proposing the existence of an extra fourth spatial dimension, could be tested using a satellite to be launched in 2007.

Such theories are notoriously difficult to test. But a new study suggests that such hidden dimensions could give rise to thousands of mini-black holes within our own solar system – and the theory could be tested within Pluto’s orbit in just a few years.

Black holes of various masses are thought to have sprung into existence within 1 second of the big bang, as elementary particles clumped together at extreme energies. But Einstein's theory of general relativity predicts the smallest of these "primordial" black holes should have already evaporated, through a quantum process called Hawking radiation.

But according to some alternative theories that attempt to unify gravity with quantum mechanics, such as string theory, small black holes could still exist. That is because these theories propose extra spatial dimensions, which alter the way gravity behaves on small scales. The theory of general relativity holds that there are three spatial dimensions plus time.

"That < extra spatial dimension > changes the rate at which black holes radiate, so you can slow down the evaporation quite substantially," says Charles Keeton, a physicist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, US.

The article continues at http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn9240-satellite-could-open-door-on-extra-dimension.html

[redqueen]

1. Fascinating...

I wish the thing were scheduled to launch this August.

[1620rock]

2. The more we learn, the more we don't know.

[northzax]

3. amazing how all the good physics experiments

sound amazingly like the start of a bad science fiction disaster movie, or the plot of a James Bond film...So, this mad scientist want to use a satellite to explore the possibilities of black holes by Pluto...and then something goes/will go horribly wrong. Our Hero must prevent the evil experiment from taking place, saving the universe in the last five minutes.

[silverweb]

4. Way over my head...

...but fascinating!

As already noted, the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know -- and that keeps my awe-and-wonderment quotient way up in the endlessly fascinated realm.

[Ready4Change]

5. The results could be dramatic, if not killed by the Mars Mission.

The implications, if this were to be successful, would be enormous. Verification of a 4th spatial dimension. Strong support for string/brane theories. An explanation for much of the missing dark matter. Evidence of a universe even larger than we think ours is, i.e. one layer of the ever expanding question about what lays beyond that which we currently understand.

Exciting possibilities.

And all may die, in order to meet Bush's unfunded Mars mandate to NASA.