Carroll Alley
Encyclopedia
Carroll Alley is an American
physicist
. He was the principal investigator
on the Apollo Program
's Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment
, which significantly restricted the possible range of spatial variation of the strength of the gravitational interaction. Alley was a student of Robert Henry Dicke.
Alley developed some of the earliest important laboratory tests of Albert Einstein
's theories of relativity
. In recent years he has become known for his controversial alternative theories
of gravitation
. He is currently a physics professor at University of Maryland, College Park
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
. He was the principal investigator
Principal investigator
A principal investigator is the lead scientist or engineer for a particular well-defined science project, such as a laboratory study or clinical trial....
on the Apollo Program
Project Apollo
The Apollo program was the spaceflight effort carried out by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration , that landed the first humans on Earth's Moon. Conceived during the Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Apollo began in earnest after President John F...
's Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment
Lunar laser ranging experiment
The ongoing Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment measures the distance between the Earth and the Moon using laser ranging. Lasers on Earth are aimed at retroreflectors planted on the moon during the Apollo program, and the time for the reflected light to return is determined...
, which significantly restricted the possible range of spatial variation of the strength of the gravitational interaction. Alley was a student of Robert Henry Dicke.
Alley developed some of the earliest important laboratory tests of Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
's theories of relativity
Theory of relativity
The theory of relativity, or simply relativity, encompasses two theories of Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity. However, the word relativity is sometimes used in reference to Galilean invariance....
. In recent years he has become known for his controversial alternative theories
Yilmaz theory of gravitation
The Yilmaz theory of gravitation is an attempt by Huseyin Yilmaz and his coworkers to formulate a classical field theory of gravitation which is similar to general relativity in weak-field conditions, but in which event horizons cannot appear.Yilmaz's work has been criticized on various grounds,...
of gravitation
Gravitation
Gravitation, or gravity, is a natural phenomenon by which physical bodies attract with a force proportional to their mass. Gravitation is most familiar as the agent that gives weight to objects with mass and causes them to fall to the ground when dropped...
. He is currently a physics professor at University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
.