Luminiferous aether

: This article is about the aether as a hypothesis in physics. For other uses, see Aether (disambiguation).

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In the late 19th century the luminiferous aether ("light-bearing aether"), or ether, was a substance postulated to be the medium for the propagation of light. Later theories, including Einstein's Theory of Relativity, demonstrated that an aether did not have to exist, and today the concept is considered "quaint".

Related Topics:
19th century - Aether - Light - Einstein - Theory of Relativity

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(The word "aether" stems via Latin from the Greek αιθηρ, from a root meaning "to kindle/burn/shine", which signified the substance thought in ancient times to fill the upper regions of space, beyond the clouds.)

Related Topics:
Latin - Greek

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