Re: [Phys-l] Does COBE data contradict relativty?

["Folkerts, Timothy J" <FolkertsT@bartonccc.edu>]

> Some implications of there being a "preferred frame" were discussed by 
> Arons in his book <A Guide to the Teaching of Introductory Physics>.
> 				Regards,
> 					Jack

Here is (part of) what Arons says.

"A second aspect that merits slower discussion than is afforded in most
texts is that of the passionate 19th century search for the "absolute"
frame of reference ..."

He then quotes someone named Bridgman: 
" ... It is curious that there is a uniquely definable velocity, namely
the velocity with respect to the fixed stars, which his not felt to have
the properties of absoluteness implicitly wanted..."

This quote is immediately followed by Arons' parenthetical comment:
"(It is interesting to speculate on what Bridgman might have said about
the discovery of the 3K cosmic background radiation and our motion
relative to it.)"

So rather than shedding any light, Arons seems to have exactly the same
concern that I do - that the cosmic background might indeed "have the
properties of absoluteness implicitly wanted"!  So the "fixed stars" -
or even the "fixed center of the Milky Way" is not an absolute frame of
reference - but perhaps the CMBR is!

Tim F


P.S.  I'm still digesting what John D said ...