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Astronomy Adventures! with The OSU Astronomy Department

The 1919 Eclipse That Made Einstein Famous

Learn about how two expeditions to observe the 1919 total solar eclipse spectacularly confirmed Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity and made him an "international science superstar."

In 1919, two expeditions sent by the British Royal Astronomical Society to observe a total Solar Eclipse (in Brazil and off the coast of West-Africa) spectacularly confirmed theoretical predictions of the deflection of starlight when passing near massive objects. Albert Einstein, by then moderately popular within the world of Physics, as the author of those predictions within the framework of his Theory of General Relativity, almost immediately rose to the status of "international science superstar" due to the widespread enthusiastic media coverage. Apart from a (very) brief introduction to the two Theories of Relativity, we will examine how several earlier expeditions to observe that phenomenon had failed (sometimes under dramatic circumstances) - which ultimately can be almost seen as a stroke of luck, ironically. We will also mention how the same principle of light-bending due to the presence of mass is still used today, and in fact, pioneered by OSU researchers in the search for extrasolar planets.

Registration is required for this program. Attendees will receive a pair of eclipse glasses, while supplies last.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Stephan Frank, PhD was born, raised, and educated in the South of Germany (with a short, but meaningful interval in Edinburgh, Scotland -- where he met his wife). He came to America in 2002 to continue a career in physics at The OSU Astronomy Department's Graduate Program. Earning his PhD from OSU in 2008, and beginning his first stint as a PostDoc, led to his return to Europe, where he worked for three years in Marseille.
 
In 2011, Dr. Frank returned to OSU (and Otterbein University), both in research and teaching, with a focus on outreach and education to the public.

Besides Astronomy, there is always: running (14 completed marathons, which my wife potentially somewhat correctly calls a bit obsessive), soccer (which even I call myself obsessed), boardgaming (yes, there is one of the largest clubs right here in town, and I am a long term old member), etc etc. Oh. And not to forget: my two girls keep me extremely busy as an educator and entertainer! I have retained the ability to speak German, babble incoherently in French, and can decipher Latin.

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