Could gravity operate in extra dimensions?

#AskEthan

The other three fundamental forces are three-dimensional, down to a scale of ~10^-19 meters.

But gravity might operate in more than three dimensions on tiny scales.

Here's what's still possible.
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/gravity-extra-dimensions/

@ovid This is an interesting question that I first considered when I was in graduate school.

It turns out you can place tremendous constraints on this scenario based on already-conducted experiments!

But I like your question so if it's ok with you, I'll consider it for my #AskEthan column this week!

How can I grow up to study parallel Universes?

#AskEthan

If you have, or are, a kid in school being pressured to choose a career path early on, this is a must-read.

You can grow up to be anything you want, but not if you over-specialize too early!
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/ask-ethan-study-parallel-universes/

Why will the Milky Way and Andromeda collide?
#AskEthan
The Universe is expanding, the expansion is accelerating, and still the Milky Way and Andromeda will eventually collide.
That's not a paradox; that's exactly what we expect.
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/why-milky-way-andromeda-collide/

How many constants define our Universe?
#AskEthan
In order to explain the Universe that we know, at least 26 fundamental constants are required.
Even so, four big puzzles still remain outstanding, likely necessitating even more of them.
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/how-many-constants-universe/

Do binary stars prove modified gravity?
#AskEthan
No, Gaia data on wide binary stars did not "prove" that Einstein/Newton are wrong, and gravity must be modified.
Science is always better in its proper context, and people really do want the truth.
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/binary-stars-prove-modified-gravity/

Is LK-99 the holy grail of superconductors?
#AskEthan
A new material, known as LK-99, was claimed to be a room-temperature and ambient-pressure superconductor.
If true, it would change the world.
But what does the science actually say?
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/lk-99-holy-grail-superconductor/

Are astronaut footprints disappearing from the Moon?
#AskEthan
Over long enough timescales, astronaut footprints will eventually be erased from the lunar surface.
But what will be the cause, and how long will it take?
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/astronaut-footprints-disappearing-moon/

Maybe suitable for a #AskEthan @startswithabang Just what are Dark Matter powered stars?

"Recent data from the JWST space observatory has identified several objects that are consistent with dark matter powered stars."

https://physics.aps.org/articles/v16/127

#Astronomy #Space #Stars #DarkMatter #Cosmology

Did we recover alien technology from the bottom of the ocean?

#AskEthan

Avi Loeb, once again, claims that he's found evidence for alien technology in a mundane-looking object.

If only he knew where "metal spherules" came from.

(But science knows!)
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/alien-technology-ocean/

Did time run slower in the early Universe?

#AskEthan

Spoiler: no, time didn't run more slowly in the early Universe.

The expansion of the Universe dilates the signals we observe today.

That's a big difference!
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/time-run-slow-early-universe/

Why do we all live on Earth?

#AskEthan

Sometimes, it takes a very curious child to ask a question that most of us asked long ago, and then never revisited.

Let's revisit it now, because oh, do we know so much more than we did just a few years ago!
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/why-do-we-all-live-on-earth/

Do galaxies appear larger in the past?

#AskEthan

The farther away an object is, the smaller it appears.

But only to a point.

After 14.6 billion light-years, they look bigger again.

Weird?

Sure, but just another consequence of the expanding Universe.

https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/galaxies-appear-larger-in-past/

Is the proton stable or unstable?

#AskEthan

If we waited long enough, will the proton eventually decay?

This key question strikes at the heart of fundamental physics.

The "no" measured, so far, tells us so much about what's true in our Universe.

https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/proton-stable-or-unstable/

What is a woman?

#AskEthan

Many of us have strongly held opinions about sex, gender, and what medical interventions are appropriate for intersex and trans people.

But without knowing what's true, and I learned a lot writing this, you're just uninformed.
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/what-is-a-woman/

How do magnetic fields split energy levels?

#AskEthan

The Zeeman effect can split normal atomic energy levels into several separate ones.

But a look into how it happens reveals more about the Universe than even Zeeman ever imagined.

https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/magnetic-fields-split-energy-levels/

What is the Universe expanding into?

#AskEthan

This is one of the most common questions that cosmologists get.

"If the Universe is expanding, what's it expanding into?"

Here's a great chance to expand... your mind!

https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/what-universe-expanding-into/

Will a comet storm soon threaten the Earth?

#AskEthan

When stars pass through the Oort cloud, they can lead to storms of comets, with a little delay.

One came through just 70,000 years ago, and a very dangerous one is coming 1.3 million years from now.
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/comet-storm-threat-earth/

How did we prove the Big Bang took place?

#AskEthan

There were many possible "origin stories" for our Universe, and multiple scenarios that included an expanding Universe.

But only the Big Bang survived all of our tests. Here's how.
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/how-prove-big-bang/

How does dark energy accelerate the Universe?

#AskEthan

If dark energy is just another form of space-curving energy, why is it causing the Universe to accelerate?

The answer just might teach you a whole lot about cosmic expansion!
https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/dark-energy-accelerate-universe/