The geodetic effect, also known as geodetic precession, refers to the precession of a gyroscope's axis due to spacetime curvature around a massive body, as predicted by Einstein's theory of General Relativity. This effect has been experimentally confirmed by missions such as Gravity Probe B, providing crucial evidence for the curvature of spacetime caused by Earth's mass.

Geodetic Effect

Geodetic precession

Precession of a gyroscope's axis

Spacetime curvature is a fundamental concept in Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, describing how matter and energy influence the geometry of the universe. It explains gravity not as a force, but as a result of objects following the curved paths in spacetime created by mass and energy distributions.

Spacetime Curvature

Massive body

Einstein's Theory of General Relativity revolutionized our understanding of gravity by describing it not as a force, but as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. This theory has profound implications for the understanding of cosmic phenomena, including the bending of light around massive objects and the expansion of the universe.

Einstein's Theory Of General Relativity

Gravity Probe B was a NASA mission designed to test two unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity: the geodetic effect and frame-dragging. By precisely measuring the orientation of gyroscopes in orbit around Earth, the experiment confirmed these relativistic effects with unprecedented accuracy, enhancing our understanding of spacetime and gravitational fields.

Gravity Probe B

The curvature of spacetime is a fundamental aspect of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, describing how mass and energy influence the geometry of the universe, causing the gravitational attraction we observe. This curvature dictates the motion of objects and the propagation of light, effectively explaining gravity not as a force, but as the result of objects following the natural curvature of spacetime.

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