Good news, scientists have made ‘the greatest discovery of the 21st century’, which may be the key to time travel – but not in the way you’d think.
Before your mind begins to wander to notions of going back and seeing the dinosaurs or meeting Henry VIII, we should tell you that this research won’t let you physically travel to the past, only see it… sort of.
The discovery means that scientists will be able to ‘look back in time’ at the formation of the universe.
Researchers have discovered gravitational waves, ripples in space-time, which may allow them to build something like a time machine to look into the earliest and darkest parts of the universe, the Independent reports.
This ripple phenomenon was first predicted by Albert Einstein almost 100 years ago, and he’s now been proven correct by these recent findings.
Scientists just confirmed the detection of gravitational waves. This is one of the biggest discoveries of modern…
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, 11 February 2016
The waves were detected by the LIGO project in the U.S., which uses cutting edge tech to try and spot the waves as they move past the Earth. These gravitational waves are ripples in space-time itself, and are thrown out by black holes and dying stars, which scientists believe we might be able to get a better view of.
Now scientists want to try and capture these waves by launching the equipment into space. It’s hoped this will allow scientists to get away from the hustle and bustle of Earth and allow us to isolate the ‘sound’ of the waves even more accurately.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have detected gravitational waves https://t.co/Wv4cyjl9QD
— WIRED Science (@WIREDScience) February 11, 2016
Using satellites we will then be able to measure space-time as it stretches and squeezes, allowing us to work out where the gravitational waves are coming from, and shed a kind of light on matter far into the dark depths of the universe.
Although I don’t totally understand the science behind this, I will take their word for it, and say this is amazing news!
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.