Albert Einstein developed the general theory of relativity 100 years ago as an answer to fundamental problems of contemporary physics. Yet the theory remained a marginal phenomenon of physics, especially in comparison to quantum theory, until the second half of the 20th century.
That’s when the renaissance in general relativity combined with the rise of relativistic astrophysics, turning general relativity into a key instrument in astrophysics.
This Perimeter Institute talk will trace the genesis of general relativity, look at Einstein’s research and the work of many other scientists who contributed to the theory, and show how general relativity eventually became not only a highly active field of research but one of the principal challenges to the conceptual unification of physics.
The webcast will be hosted LIVE right here on the Cosmos Magazine blog. Tune in on 24 June at 11AM AEST.
Originally published by Cosmos as The theory that helped explain the Universe
Bill Condie
Bill Condie is a science journalist based in Adelaide, Australia.
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