Re: (2086) Re: (2081) Black Globes

First, let me say that I am not a physics-type, so don't blame me if I'm all
wet...(notice how I get the disclaimer in at the beginning?  :)   Someone
posted a note about something (see how scientifically specific I can be? ) to
which James (hi James) inserted a comment that has jogged my memory...
>
>[Right on, in Einsteinian General Relativity, all frames of reference
>are valid - there is no "master" frame of reference.  The Universe's
>rules apparently hold true for all observers, and there is no underlying
>"grid" or "mesh" to the Universe that is special or fixed.  All events
>in the Universe happen relative to each other.  Nonetheless, there are
>several holes in EGR in Traveller.  Perhaps there is a non-relativistic
>universal frame of reference available through a small oversight in
>Einsteinian theory.  How else can you suspend your disbelief that matter
>can travel faster than light? That reactionless thrusters can function?
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>How many holes and hand-waving you permit in your campaign is a function
>of the Player's and Ref's ability to suspend their disbelief.  -- James]
>
Perhaps you physics types can point out the error of my ways?  The thing that's
been bugging me concerns the underlined comment above...

I seem to recall hearing (or reading) that General Relativity doesn't forbid
matter moving at FTL speeds, it only forbids matter travelling AT the speed of
light, since this would involve infinite mass.  Yes or no?

If true, then there may be the equivalent of a tunnelling diode for velocity (a
tunnelling diode, as I understand it, lets electrons 'tunnel' through a barrier
essentially they "stop" existing on one side and "start" existing on the other)
This would let your ship "stop" existing at c-x meters/sec and "start" existing
at c+x m/s.  Or is this wrong also?

- - - ------------------------------------------
The following discussion is excerpted from The Physics of Tunnelling Velocities

by Paul Baughman,  J-O-A-T

   ...

Applying energy to the Zuchai crystal web in the hull produces an oscillating,
structured energy field of the Zotorr type.  This oscillation engages the
Tunnelling Velocity Effect (TVE) which transposes the STL velocity of the
enclosed object (the ship) to the FTL velocity corresponding to one of the
prime energy states.

The Prime Energy States (PES) are superluminal energy states similar to the
electron energy states of classical Quantum Mechanics.  An object in Hyperspace
can only occupy one of these energy states.  If an amount of energy is supplied
to the Zuchai web that does not corespond exactly to one of the PES, then the
next lowest PES is entered and the excess energy is radiated to the
surroundings as gravitons.

Only six Prime Energy States are known to our present technology.  When energy
is applied corresponding to what should be the seventh, only the sixth state is
entered.  The most popular theory advanced to date is that successive energy
states do not follow the same distribution curve for energy level.  That is,
while the first six states follow a linear distribution curve, the next states
may follow a parabolic or other curve.  It must be emphasized that currently
there is no evidence either for or against this theory.  Many researchers have
attempted to find the next PES (popularly known as jump-7), but no matter how
much energy is supplied (and some truly staggering amounts have been tried)
only PES levels one through six have been identified.

As a footnote to this discussion, in 1093 Dr. Hans Zarkov of the University of
Regina, was following a promising line of research when he vanished with his
leased research ship, _Daisy_May_ .  Eyewitness accounts following the
investigation, claimed that Dr. Zarkov loaded several crates of equipment on
board his ship, then spent five days aboard before requesting clearance for a
test flight and jumping out-system.  The Daisy May and Dr. Zarkov were never
seen again.  The conclusion made by the investigating committee was that Dr.
Zarkov attempted to put his theories into action and destroyed himself and his
ship in the process.  Unfortunately, the notes Dr. Zarkov left behind were
only of the most general in nature.  As a consequence, no one really knows
whether Dr. Zarkov broke the jump-6 barrier or not.

   ...

- - -------
In the dark no one can hear the color of your eyes.
Disclaimer:  This is me.  Do I sound like anyone else?

Paul Baughman          [email removed]