Thursday, October 29, 2009

Universe's Quantum 'Speed Bumps' No Obstacle For Light

Different wavelengths of light from a distant gamma-ray burst travel at the same speed, down to quantum scales (Illustration: NASA/SkyWorks Digital)

From New Scientist:

A hint that quantum fluctuations in the fabric of the universe slow the speed of light has not been borne out in observations by NASA's Fermi telescope. The measurements contradict a 2005 result that supported the idea that space and time are not smooth.

Einstein's theory of special relativity says that all electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum at the speed of light. This speed is predicted to be constant, regardless of the energy of the radiation.

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