In physics, M-theory is a unification of what were originally thought to
be five distinct versions of superstring theory. The possibility of such
a theory was first conjectured by Edward Witten (pictured) at a string
theory conference at the University of Southern California in 1995,
initiating a flurry of research activity known as the second superstring
revolution. Work by several physicists showed that the original five
theories could be related by transformations called S-duality and
T-duality. Witten's conjecture drew on these dualities and on a field
theory called eleven-dimensional supergravity. Some physicists believe
that a complete formulation of M-theory could provide a framework for
developing a unified theory of all the fundamental forces of nature.
Current directions of research in the theory include matrix theory and
gauge/gravity duality. According to Witten, the M in M-theory can stand
for "magic", "mystery", or "membrane" according to taste,
and the true
meaning of the title should be decided when a more fundamental
formulation of the theory is known.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-theory>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1633:
Galileo Galilei was forced to recant his heliocentric view of
the Solar System by the Roman Inquisition, after which, as legend has
it, he muttered under his breath, "And yet it moves".
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_affair>
1813:
War of 1812: After learning of American plans for a forthcoming
surprise attack, Laura Secord set out on a 30 km (19 mi) journey from
Queenston, Ontario, Upper Canada, on foot to warn Lieutenant James
FitzGibbon.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Secord>
1911:
George V and Mary of Teck were crowned King and Queen of the
United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey in London.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_of_Teck>
1969:
The surface of the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, US, caught on fire,
helping to spur the environmental movement.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuyahoga_River>
2002:
An earthquake measuring 6.5 Mw struck a region of northwestern
Iran, killing at least 261 people and injuring 1,300 others, and
eventually causing widespread public anger due to the slow official
response.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Bou%27in-Zahra_earthquake>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
avocation:
1. A hobby or recreational or leisure pursuit.
2. Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment;
vocation.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/avocation>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The entire cosmos is made out of one and the same world-stuff,
operated by the same energy as we ourselves. "Mind" and "matter"
appears
as two aspects of our unitary mind-bodies. There is no separate
supernatural realm: all phenomena are part of one natural process of
evolution. There is no basic cleavage between science and religion; they
are both organs of evolving humanity.
--Julian Huxley
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Julian_Huxley>