In January 2019 , investigator detected Vasco da Gamma - ray salvo ( GRB ) 190114C. They take in this quick explosion right in the human activity and observedthe most energetic photonsever seen from a gamma - irradiation burst . This unbelievable outcome has now been used to test Einstein ’s hypothesis of general relativity .
One of the cornerstones of special relativity , and crucial to the worldwide relativity framework , is that the speeding of light in a vacuity is a constant . General theory of relativity is our full description of gravity . It has been tested time and time again , even with a supermassive blackened golf hole . So far , it has passed all the tests , include this one as reported inPhysical Review Letters .
That enjoin , we know that the theory is limited as we are yet to find a possibility that cover both gravity and the other forces in the universe described by quantum auto-mechanic . Several theories stress to provide such a bridge circuit and one group of those theories is sleep together as quantum gravity . This is where things get interesting . Some quantum gravity theories do n’t ask the swiftness of light to be unceasing .
The hypothetical consequence , known as Lorentz invariance violation ( LIV ) , is dependent on the free energy of the brightness level in question . The burden is tiny and is only distinctly seeable over prison term . That ’s why a cosmic informant producing photon at mellow - energy , such as a GRB , is ideal . GRB 190114C is particularly apt as its photons hit the level of teraelectronvolt energies ( TeV , 1000 billion times more energetic than the seeable light ) .
" We were all very well-chosen and feel inner to be in the position to perform the first study on Lorentz invariance violation ever on GRB data in TeV energy range , and to crack the door open for future report ! " carbon monoxide gas - source Cedric Perennes , a postdoctoral research worker at the University of Padova , explained in astatement .
While the team was unable to prove physics beyond general theory of relativity , they certainly put more stringent constraint on quantum gravity possibility . The astronomers plan to continue to utilise the MAGIC ( Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov ) telescope on the Canary Islands to discover more GRBs .
" This prison term , we observe a comparatively nearby GRB . We trust to before long see brighter and more distant events , which would enable even more sensitive test , " Oscar Blanch , spokesperson of the MAGIC coaction , conclude .
