“Spooky action at a distance” sounds like something in a horror movie, but we’ve found one physical phenomenon that somehow gets around the speed of light speed limit. Scientists are now taking it out of the lab and putting into orbit, partly for research, partly to develop secure communications. Quantum entanglement is inherently simple and mysterious. Two particles can be entangled in a such a way that, if anything happens to one, it instantaneously affects the other – theoretically, regardless of distance. Communications between galaxies should be possible with no time lag. Another consequence is that, if anyone tries to monitor the signal, the sender and the receiver will know.
Theoretically, this is worth studying because it is revealing aspects of physics that aren’t limited by space-time; but then, how does it work? We don’t know; therefore, test.
Practically, even if we don’t know how or why it works, we can use it for secure communications. Therefore, test to develop the ability.
A Chinese satellite was launched to test and develop the concept. Other nations are trying, too. (Unfortunately, the US satellite was destroyed in a rocket explosion.)
As if things weren’t weird enough, we’re now actually experimenting with spooky things. Stay tuned.
(Click on the photo for the link.)
“China’s New Quantum Satellite…” – Quartz
Pretending Not To Panic 