Can biophysics tell us something about the weak equivalence principle vis a vis the thought experiment of Einstein involving human subjects?

• Published in: BioSystems Vol. 97; no. 2; pp. 103 - 107
• Main Author: Thaheld, Fred H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.08.2009
• Subjects: Acceleration; ALTEA; Astronauts; Biophysics - methods; Cosmic Radiation; Cosmic rays; Gravitational field; Heavy Ions; Humans; Light; Light flashes; Phosphenes; Phosphenes - physiology; Photons; Quantum Theory; Radiometry; Retina; Retina - physiology; Retina - radiation effects; Silicon; Space Flight; Space Simulation; Systems Theory; Uniform motion; Weak equivalence principle; ALTEA; Gravitational field; Retina; Weak equivalence principle; Uniform motion; Acceleration; Light flashes; Phosphenes; Cosmic rays

Over a period of several decades it has been noticed that most astronauts, either orbiting the earth or on trips to the moon, have observed phosphenes or light flashes (LF) including streaks, spots and clouds of light when their eyes are closed or they are in a darkened cabin. Scientists suspect tha...