Cosmos' latest episode talked about a universal constant, the speed of light: 186,282.4 miles per second. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson - Astrophysicist
says that speed is also a speed limit for a material object in real
space to travel. In real space, it is not possible to travel at or
faster than light, which is energy.
What Neil didn't discuss, mainly
because they're universally regarded as theoretical at this point, are 2
things....matter is merely a slower vibrational state
of energy and that changing the vibrational state of space may allow
travel faster than light.
He did touch on a cool concept, however,
which is another reason why I enjoy his enthusiasm and open-mindedness
about what is now considered science fiction, and that's the theory that
near or inside a black hole, physical laws governing the universe may
not apply. He also mentioned that galaxies such as our own, all contain
supermassive black holes, hence the spiral shape. Black holes aren't
visible, but they are common, and are chiefly the result of star death.
Star life and death is what creates solar systems, all governed by
gravity, something I sure wish I could lessen.
Remember, just a few years ago, planets outside our solar system were considered science fiction. Now, it has proven through scientific method that planets are common in our galaxy, and that 1 in 5 stars harbor earth-like planets. A few hundred years ago, people were absolutely sure Earth was flat and that it was the center of the universe. Who's to say, that in a few years, faster-than-light travel, which may explain many UFO sightings, will be not only possible, but that the journeys we took in our imagination will become reality.
Getting back to gravity, every time I get up from
a chair, gravity lets me know in no uncertain terms, that it rules.
This summer, though, I'm thinking of joining the Y again to get into the
pool---the one place where I can say, fush you, for a change, to
gravity's hold on me for a little while.
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