Solutions as the solution to understanding General Relativity

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The current research of the group focuses on the foundations of theories of space, time, and gravity. The most succesful theory in this domain is still Einstein's general theory of relativity (GR). However, important concepts that are now crucial for the understanding of both the theory and the universe it aims to describe have only been created in the last few decades; this applies in particular to the description of black holes and gravitational waves, which were experimentally discovered as recently as 2015. The international community of historians and philosophers of physics is only just beginning to engage with these developments. The group wants to bridge the divide by pursuing three interrelated projects.

Projects

"The Albert Einstein Archives (AEA), Hebrew University of Jerusalem "

Einstein's interpretation of gravity

The first project explores Einstein's own interpretational and conceptual work on GR in the 25 years after his discovery of the Einstein field equations, the fundamental law of gravity at the core of the theory, in 1915.

"The SXS (Simulation eXtreme Spacetimes) Project"

Solutions as the solution to understanding General Relativity

The second project investigates the solution space of the Einstein equations, and how different solutions are applied, in particular, to describe black holes and gravitational waves.

"Henze/Nasa"

Alternative Theories of Gravity

The third project looks at the counterparts of these solutions in alternative theories of gravity, in an effort to see how special GR is as an inhabitant of the 'space of gravitational theories'.

Einstein's interpretation of gravityThe first project explores Einstein's own interpretational and conceptual work on GR in the 25 years after his discovery of the Einstein field equations, the fundamental law of gravity at the core of the theory, in 1915.

Solutions as the solution to understanding General RelativityThe second project investigates the solution space of the Einstein equations, and how different solutions are applied, in particular, to describe black holes and gravitational waves.

Alternative Theories of GravityThe third project looks at the counterparts of these solutions in alternative theories of gravity, in an effort to see how special GR is as an inhabitant of the 'space of gravitational theories'.

Einstein's interpretation of gravity

The first project explores Einstein's own interpretational and conceptual work on GR in the 25 years after his discovery of the Einstein field equations, the fundamental law of gravity at the core of the theory, in 1915.

Solutions as the solution to understanding General Relativity

The second project investigates the solution space of the Einstein equations, and how different solutions are applied, in particular, to describe black holes and gravitational waves.

Alternative Theories of Gravity

The third project looks at the counterparts of these solutions in alternative theories of gravity, in an effort to see how special GR is as an inhabitant of the 'space of gravitational theories'.