University Circle in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Michelson-Morley Experiment

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, September 27, 2008

1. Michelson-Morley Experiment Marker

Inscription. Near this spot, in July 1887, Dr. Albert A. Michelson of Case and Dr. Edward W. Morley of Western Reserve University conducted the world-famous Michelson-Morley experiment, one of the outstanding scientific achievements of the 19th century and a cornerstone of modern physics. In commemoration, this tablet has been set in stone by both colleges on December 19, 1952, the 100th anniversary of Dr. Michelson's birth.

Erected 1952 by Case Western Reserve University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1887.

Location. 41° 30.244′ N, 81° 36.504′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in University Circle. It can be reached from Adelbert Road. Marker is in the middle of the quad on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cleveland OH 44106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Michelson-Morley Experiment (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); This Flagstaff (about 500 feet away); Fields of Ideals (about 600 feet away); University Circle District (about 700 feet

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away); a different marker also named University Circle District (approx. 0.2 miles away); University Hospitals (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frances Payne Bolton (approx. ¼ mile away); To Risk (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.

Also see . . . Michelson-Morley Experiment. “This movie simulates the set-up used in the Michelson-Morley experiment, including the non-existent aether wind they were trying to detect! The basic idea is to detect the time difference between light going ‘upstream then downstream’ and light going ‘across shore and back’.” (Submitted on September 28, 2008.)

Photographed by Christopher Busta-Peck, September 27, 2008

2. Michelson-Morley Experiment Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,417 times since then and 49 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week September 28, 2008. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.