polarized universe

Paul Arveson (arveson@oasys.dt.navy.mil)
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 13:44:44 -0500

The account of the new discovery of cosmic polarization by Nodland is at:

http://www.cc.rochester.edu/college/rtc/Borge/aniso.html

If the discovery is confirmed, it adds to the complexity of
the large-scale structure of the universe. Some years ago
the COBE satellite discovered a doppler shift in the cosmic
background radiation, which implies a non-translating
reference frame for the universe. Now this discovery may
imply another kind of reference frame that favors a direction.
Nodland did not say whether the excess polarization was
left-handed or right-handed, but if his figures are appropriate
they indicate right-handed polarization.

That's convenient, since physicists usually use right-handed coordinates.
Otherwise we'd have to change all the physics
textbooks. :-)

Nodlund cautions that this discovery does not favor a particular
location in space, so the nonsense about geocentrism should not
find support here.

Paul Arveson, Code 724, Signatures Directorate, NSWC
arveson@oasys.dt.navy.mil bridges@his.com
(301) 227-3831 (W) (301) 816-9459 (H) (301) 227-4511 (FAX)