Re: SPS/Pulsars

On 25 Feb 2002, Flak Magnet wrote:

> Then there's the concept of gravitic propagation being instantaneous
> that could be used for FTL transmission:
>
> The theory being something along the lines of gravitic fields being
like
> a fabric, if you tug on one thread, all the other threads react
> instantly.  If you say that it really works that way in _your_
universe,
> then setting up a beacon with a medium power would be as "simple" as a
> purposely mis-aligned gravitic drive (set to remain stationary)
pulsing
> with specifically-timed bursts to make it unique.  Very much like the
> lights used to navigate lakes by boats and to denote towers to
aircraft.
>
> --Flak
>

As a grad student in General Relativity, I can say with near certainty
that gravitational effects propagate at the speed of light.  At least in
the universe as we currently know it.  However, if you assume FTL jump
drives, a misaligned jump drive might generate the same type of signal
that could propagate FTL.  But even then the concept of instantaneous
transmission is going to depend on relativistic frame (how fast the
observer is moving relative to the source), not to mention the frequency
of the signal.

Please note that I do accept that you can setup thing in whatever way
you
want in your own fictional universe.