9a
An Experiment
To Measure
The Magnitude and Direction
Of The Earth’s Motion
Lance Osadchey
04/22/2003
Since a single light ray is believed to exist in its own space-time and proceed straight ahead in propagation at the speed of light and a laser ray approximates a single light ray, these rays have no, or minimal, lateral or sideways motion. Thus it should be possible to measure the absolute motion of the Earth by comparing the position of the light ray on any material object moving with the Earth. And knowing the distance from the source of light to the object and the sideways motion of the impact of the ray of light.
A solid, minimal vibration table or optical bench
A solid rotating bearing
A steel pipe 10 feet in length or any 10-foot secure platform
A laser source with positional holder
A series of lenses to retard the laser beams intensity - optional
A series of lenses to direct and focus the laser beam - optional
A CCD for detection of the laser beam with capability to record the image of the laser impact area
Suitable equipment to analyze the laser spots position on the image from the CCD.
Use the table as a stationary support for the apparatus. Attach the bearing in the form of a rotating platform to the table. Attach the steel pipe to the bearing with the center of the pipe at the center of the bearing (wheel).
Use material to dampen vibrations under the table’s legs and under the steel pipe.
Attach the CCD at one end of the pipe.
Attach the laser with the positional holder at the other end of the pipe
Attach the lens to attenuate the intensity of the laser in-between the CCD and Laser but close to the laser - optional
Record the image of the laser on the CCD at position 1, due North, for example.
Rotate the pipe at various increments and record each image at each station for a complete revolution
Treat the pictures obtained as data. Use the center of the laser spot for the point of measurement. Use a measurement system for analysis such as bit map to locate the laser center and record the coordinates of the position of the impact site on each picture.
Compare the coordinates recorded with the orientation of the apparatus corresponding to the picture for that orientation.
Here are representative images of a typical run. Each station is approximately 30 degrees apart and a typical run begins at 0 degrees, which in this series was North, and moves through the stations ending back at North or 0 degrees. It is difficult to judge the exact center of the laser image but with practice one can come with in 5 pixels of each attempt. Using a bitmap image has been the method used for this analysis. A bitmap allows me to place the pointer on a certain spot of the picture and there is a read out of the x and y coordinates of the spot.
112
113
114
115
117
118
120
121
122
The pixel size of the CCD used was 4.2 micron. Measurements were made for positions opposite one another. For instance North was paired with South for determining the velocity and direction based on the North South line, as were the other 5 directions.
1: Establish coordinates for the laser impact site. Use the center of the laser spot or another distinctive section of the picture. A bit map image was used for these calculations. Label each coordinate with its position. North has a certain set of coordinates called North, and so forth.
2: Pair the coordinates of a direction and its opposite direction. North is paired with South, and so forth. This establishes the Computational Lines (CL). Calculate the length of each CL.
3: Establish the center of the CL. Establish how far and in what direction the ends of the line represent. For example on the North South line establish how far North is from the center and whether it is to the right or left of the center. Then compute the same for South and all the directions recorded.
4: Convert these readings to Vector Lines (VL). Each VL is at right angles to the CL. The CL of NS would represent a VL of EW. Using the NS CL, if the North coordinates are to the right of the center of the CL, then this indicates the component of the Vector of Motion is to the West. If the coordinates of North are to the left of the center of the CL, then this indicates the component Vector of Motion, is to the East.
5: Thus ½ of the CL represents the magnitude of the Vector of Motion in that direction and the VL establish the direction.
|
Calculation Line |
Length in Pixels |
Correction 2.5x |
Divide by ½ |
4.2 x Microns |
Divide by 1/10 Km/S |
|
N/S |
68 |
170 |
85 |
357 |
36 |
|
30 210 |
225 |
562 |
281 |
1180 |
118 |
|
60 240 |
217 |
542 |
271 |
1138 |
114 |
|
E/W |
196 |
490 |
245 |
1046 |
105 |
|
120 300 |
59 |
147 |
73 |
307 |
31 |
|
150 330 |
30 |
75 |
37 |
155 |
16 |
Length in Pixels was calculated using the Pythagorean Relationship and the coordinates of the calculation line endpoints.
The correction of 2.5 was used as the pictures were made in a compressed mode and to format these to the correct pixel numbers.
The calculation line was halved to calculate the velocity in one direction.
4.2 is the size of the pixels in microns.
The time of light transfer from the laser to the CCD was approximately 10 nanoseconds as the distance apart was 10 feet and light travels about 1 foot in 1 nanosecond. To convert to Km/S division by 10 was accomplished.
This particular series represents the motion vector on that day at the particular latitude and longitude and in the orientation of the apparatus.
Since the laser and CCD were firmly attached to the connecting bar and there was a deflection of the laser impact spot as the bar was turned in a circle, I concluded the motion of the earth was moving the CCD slightly as the light was propagating from the laser. It is as if the light is stationary in space except for its forward motion.
Future
Work
Peer review is now required.
Measurement of the vertical component of the motion vector is required to combine with the horizontal component for the final total vector of the Earth’s Motion.
The apparatus should be constructed with modern state of the art materials and instrumentation.
If the results were confirmed, further elucidation of the Michaleson Morley Aether Drift Experiment would be required.
Work could be completed having a bearing on the motion of the solar system as well as concepts of the motion at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Are black holes motionless?
Gravity could be investigated using the motion detected by the instrument, especially the time frame needed for gravity to act on a body. How long does it take for the Suns gravity to affect Earth?