Making Assumptions: A Computer Simulation of the Michelson/Morley Experiment

Second edition, fourth revision (March 12th, 2017): The theory of relativity may be factual and still be false. Consider that a solar day is defined as Earth's average rotation period, which equals twenty four hours. However, because Earth's rotation is slowing, the standard interval of the solar day is increasing, yet by definition is still twenty four hours. Relativity may hold Earth's rotation constant and declare time to be slowing. Twenty four hours is defined as a solar day. Special relativity persists with two assumptions: the principle of relativity (the laws of physics are the same in all inertial systems - no preferred inertial system exists) and the principle of the constancy of the speed of light (the speed of light has the same value c in all inertial systems). If, however, we recognize that that the principle of relativity is one of many referencing methods, that light is not inertial (it is conditionally ballistic), that the Lorentz transformation is a conversion from absolute to [contracted] ballistic motion, and that the "method" of inertial frames cannot be used to locate the "absolute" frame, then we should also recognize that these principles are self-supporting and empirically conditional. We find other ways! There is much to discover by scrutinizing the Michelson/Morley experiment.