Situation: 10 Oct. 2001

On this site actual information is presented about the analysis of the Solar eclipse-pendulum experiment at the Technischen Museum in Vienna. This will allow to observe the continuation of the experimental- and analysis processes until the establishment of the scientific results. The research-, correction- and discussion phase, which in general are necessary for obtaining reliable scientific results, can thereby be completely followed.

Update, 19.Okt. 2001:

Atomuhrenvergleiche wahrend der Totalitat, Udem et al., MPI f. Quantenoptik

Gravimetrie wahrend der Finsternis in Wien, B. Meurers , ZAMG

Foucaultpendelexperiment, Wuchterl und Wirrer 2000, AG-Tagung, Bremen (abstract)

28 Oct. 1999: ....

About Foucault pendulums: .......

Observations in the Technischen Museum, Vienna

Pendulum data: Length approx. 17 m, Mass approx. 50 kg.

Observation dates: 9, 10, 11 and 12 August ( ); New Moon: 9/10 September ( )

Brief description of the experiment in the Technischen Museum

Results of a crude and preliminary analysis:

The approx. 3 degree extra deviation during the eclipse are not significant:

Scattering of the crude measurements on the day before and the day after the eclipse: approx. �}1 degree; the scattering contains reading errors and irregularities of the pendulum; i.e., 3 degrees are not significant due to the required 3 standard deviations;

14 Sept.: The measurements for comparison around New Moon (10 Sept., 0h02 MEST) also show the �}1 degree scattering; Before New Moon there was even a 2.5 hour phase with 3 degrees excess; On the whole, all the observations are therefore consistent with the conclusion that neither during New Moon, nor during the time of the eclipse there was a significant departure of the normal behaviour of the pendulum. ....

Observers: G. Wuchterl and A. Wirrer

Further information: G. Wuchterl (now at University of Jena, Germany)

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