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==Theory of Relativity  ==

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(Arthur Sasse / AFP-Getty Images file) == Thesis Statement: Albert Einstein's theory of relativity has effected our lives in several was that include GPS systems, discovering black holes, and in X-ray astronomy. ==

 GPS Systems The GPS system was developed by the United States Department of Defense to provide a satellite-based navigation system for the U.S. military. It is know used in countries all over the world for navigational reasons. The current GPS configuration consists of a network of twenty-four satellites in high orbits around the Earth. Thanks to Einstein's Theory of Revolution this is all possible.     (Pogge 1) he satellites are in orbits high above the Earth, where the curvature of spacetime due to the Earth's mass is less than it is at the Earth's surface. A prediction of general relativity is that clocks closer to a massive object will seem to tick more slowly than those located further away. (Pogge 1)

(GPS via www.gpsgazette.com)

Black Hole Discovery A black hole is a region of space whose attractive gravitational force is so intense that no matter, light, or communication of any kind can escape.(Lightmen 1) Black holes are believed to be made from collapsed stars. As long as they are emitting heat and light into space, stars are able to support themselves against their own inward gravity with the outward pressure generated by heat from nuclear reactions in their deep interiors.(Lightmen 1) Every star, however, must eventually exhaust its nuclear fuel. When it does so, its unbalanced self-gravitational attraction causes it to collapse. According to theory of relativity, if a burned-out star has a mass larger than about three times the mass of our sun, no amount of additional pressure can stave off total gravitational collapse. (Lightmen 1)The star then collapses to form a black hole.



 X-Ray Astronomy     X-Rays are used to study certain areas of space bacause they are able to work even when gravity is very strong. These x-ray telescopes are used to verify predictions of general relativity which include that would not be able to be answered with out the technology. It helps prove predictions like frame dragging and gravitational red-shifting.

(GPS satillite via www.howstuffoworks.com)

Bibliographies   Pogge, Richard. "Ohio State Astronomy" __Real-World Relativity: The GPS Navigation System__. 30 Jan. 2009 <[|http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast162/Unit5/gps.html]>- This site is a very reliable site that is full of great information. It is a site for anyone and all the information is very easy to understand. The author explains how the GPS system is used in a clear manor.

Lightmen,Alan. "Relativity and the Cosmos" 30 Jan. 2009< http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/einstein/relativity/>. - This is another very credible site that has great information. It is based for any audience because of its good but easy to understand information. It explains how relativity proves that there are black holes.