Finding Caves Using Relativity

[kdxn]

Finding Caves Using Relativity ?

Yes according to the University of Zurich.

Clocks located at different distances from a heavy body like our Earth tick at different rates. Similarly, the closer a clock is to a heavy underground structure the slower it ticks ? a clock positioned over an iron ore will tick slower than one that sits above an empty cave.

http://www.mediadesk.uzh.ch/articles/2012/mit-atomuhren-das-erdinnere-vermessen_en.html

 

[martinm]

Finding Caves Using Relativity ?

Yes according to the University of Zurich.

Clocks located at different distances from a heavy body like our Earth tick at different rates. Similarly, the closer a clock is to a heavy underground structure the slower it ticks ? a clock positioned over an iron ore will tick slower than one that sits above an empty cave.

http://www.mediadesk.uzh.ch/articles/2012/mit-atomuhren-das-erdinnere-vermessen_en.html

infinitesimally slower...

 

[droid]

But presumably measurably so....

 

[martinm]

But presumably measurably so....

I guess so. Would imagine you'd need a super sensitive atomic clock or something like that. 

 

[graham]

But presumably measurably so....

You will need a reference clock which is positioned above ... what? You will also need an instantaneous method of checking your probe clock against your reference clock. Does relativity forbid you from doing that?

 

[TheBitterEnd]

Is it not easier to just to measure microgravity changes directly? It is presumably the change in gravity that affects the clocks.