Nova Geminorum 1912 and the Origin of the Idea of Gravitational Lensing

Einstein's early calculations of gravitational lensing, contained in a scratch notebook and dated to the spring of 1912, are reexamined. A hitherto unknown letter by Einstein suggests that he entertained the idea of explaining the phenomenon of new stars by gravitational lensing in the fall of 1915 much more seriously than was previously assumed. A reexamination of the relevant calculations by Einstein shows that, indeed, at least some of them most likely date from early October 1915. But in support of earlier historical interpretation of Einstein's notes, it is argued that the appearance of Nova Geminorum 1912 (DN Gem) in March 1912 may, in fact, provide a relevant context and motivation for Einstein's lensing calculations on the occasion of his first meeting with Erwin Freundlich during a visit in Berlin in April 1912. We also comment on the significance of Einstein's consideration of gravitational lensing in the fall of 1915 for the reconstruction of Einstein's final steps in his path towards general relativity.Comment: 31 p

Report on the relativity theory of gravitation

This volume contains new publications of two important works that have never been published together and are two firsts: (i) A. S. Eddington's Report on the Relativity Theory of Gravitation (2ed, Fleetway Press, London 1920), which was the first systematic exposition of Einstein's general relativity, and (ii) the first experimental test of general relativity carried out by F. W. Dyson, A. S. Eddington and C. Davidson and reported in the paper "A Determination of the Deflection of Light by the Sun's Gravitational Field, from Observations Made at the Total Eclipse of May 29, 1919" (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A 1920 220, pp. 291-333). The answer to the question "Why should Eddington's Report be reprinted again, given that there exist hundreds of excellent books on general relativity?" was given in 1983 by the renowned astrophysicist and recipient of the 1983 Nobel Prize for Physics S. Chandrasekhar: "Eddington's Report is written so clearly and yet so concisely that it can be read, even today, as a good introductory text by a beginning student.

L'universo in espansione

Galassie che si allontanano ; lo spazio sferico ; aspetti del'universo in espansione ; l'universo e l'atomo

Arthur S. Eddington, The nature of the physical world: Gifford lectures of 1927

Arthur S. Eddington, FRS, (1882-1944) was one of the most prominent British scientists of his time. He made major contributions to astrophysics and to the broader understanding of the revolutionary theories of relativity and quantum mechanics. He is famed for his astronomical observations of 1919, confirming Einstein's prediction of the curving of the paths of starlight, and he was the first major interpreter of Einstein's physics to the English-speaking world. His 1928 book, The Nature of th...Arthur S. Eddington, FRS, (1882-1944) was one of the most prominent British scientists of his time. He made major contributions to astrophysics and to the broader understanding of the revolutionary theories of relativity and quantum mechanics. He is famed for his astronomical observations of 1919, confirming Einstein's prediction of the curving of the paths of starlight, and he was the first major interpreter of Einstein's physics to the English-speaking world. His 1928 book, The Nature of the Physical World, here re-issued in a critical, annotated edition, was largely responsible for his fam