Blackett effect

The Blackett effect, also called gravitational magnetism, is the hypothetical generation of a magnetic field by an uncharged, rotating body. This effect has never been observed.

History

Gravitational magnetism was proposed by the German-British physicist Arthur Schuster as an explanation for the magnetic field of the Earth, [A Critical Examination of the Possible Causes of Terrestrial Magnetism, A. Schuster, "Proceedings of the Physical Society of London" 24 (1911–1912), pp. 121–137.] but was found nonexistent in a 1923 experiment by H. A. Wilson. [ [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0950-1207%2819231101%29104%3A727%3C451%3AAEOTOO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J An Experiment on the Origin of the Earth's Magnetic Field] , H. A. Wilson, "Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series A" 104, #727 (November 1, 1923), pp. 451–455.] The hypothesis was revived by the British physicist P. M. S. Blackett in 1947 when he proposed that a rotating body should generate a magnetic field proportional to its angular momentum. [ [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1947Natur.159..658B The magnetic field of massive rotating bodies] , P. M. S. Blackett, "Nature" 159, #4046 (May 17, 1947), pp. 658–666.] This was never generally accepted, and by the 1950s even Blackett felt it had been refuted. [ [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4606%28197511%2921%3C1%3APMSBBB%3E2.0.CO%3B2-W Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett, Baron Blackett, of Chelsea, 18 November 1897-13 July 1974] , Bernard Lovell, "Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society" 21 (November 1975), pp. 1–115.] ^{, pp. 39–43}

The Blackett effect was used by the science fiction writer James Blish in his series "Cities in Flight" (1955–1962) as the basis for his fictional stardrive, the spindizzy. ["Cities in Flight", James Blish. New York: Avon, 1982. ISBN 0-380-00998-6.]

References