Relativistic effects

[Richard N]

Simple question: Can any relativistic effects in the universe be seen with small amateur telescopes?

[Zermelo]

I appreciate it's a simple question, but:

(a) do you mean special relativity, general relativity, or either?

(b) do you mean visual use of the telescope, or do you allow imaging?

(c) there's no clear demarcation between "amateur" and "professional" equipment, nor does "small" have any specific meaning. You may be happy with any answers that are posted, or you may want to be a bit more specific.

As an example, the confirmation of relativistic bending of light rays by gravitational fields has been attempted here.

[Richard N]

Thanks for your reply. You ask perfectly fair questions.

a) either

b) either 

c) up to 250mm reflector. 

I will check out your link. 

[vlaiv]

Some of these might be within reach of very large dobsonian telescope:

https://research.ast.cam.ac.uk/lensedquasars/

and are certainly within grasp of even moderate size imaging scope. Lucky type imaging / special processing might be needed to resolve 2/4 components at those scales.

I've seen people image / resolve M87 relativistic jet, but I'm not sure if relativistic effects can be measured from amateur images

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysical_jet

[Richard N]

21 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

Some of these might be within reach of very large dobsonian telescope:

https://research.ast.cam.ac.uk/lensedquasars/

and are certainly within grasp of even moderate size imaging scope. Lucky type imaging / special processing might be needed to resolve 2/4 components at those scales.

I've seen people image / resolve M87 relativistic jet, but I'm not sure if relativistic effects can be measured from amateur images

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysical_jet

I wondered whether anything could be done for GR with eclipsing binaries where the rotational period is short?

Edited August 22, 2021 by Richard N

[vlaiv]

15 minutes ago, Richard N said:

I wondered whether anything could be done with eclipsing binaries where the rotational speed is fast?

Not sure, but here is interesting article:

https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/10.1063/PT.6.1.20190726a/full/

I wonder if energy bleed into gravitational waves could be confirmed by amateur telescopes? That should be confirmation of GR.

[andrew s]

Not what the OP asked for but you can see relativistic effects with a compass.  Put it near a wire carrying a current and it will deflect.  The magnetic field round the wire is the relativistic effect of the moving electric charges.

Regards Andrew 

[saac]

Picking up on Andrew's example I believe that the colour of Gold is also due to a relativistic effect arising from the electron orbitals - interesting article here on relativistic effects in chemistry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativistic_quantum_chemistry

 

As for an astronomical observation then what about Eddington's 1919 experiment to confirm Einstein's general relativity . Ok you would need to wait for a favourable eclipse  

 

Jim 

 

What about Eddington's experiment to 

rsnr.2020.0040.pdf

Edited August 23, 2021 by saac

[MarkRadice]

My first thought was the jet in M87 but isn’t Mercury’s position and orbit affected by relativity? You could measure it’s celestial position and compare the positions for Newtonian versus relativity. 
 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunt-Vulcan-Discovered-Relativity-Deciphered/dp/1511372877

Edited September 1, 2021 by MarkRadice