Nova Geminorum 1912 and the origin of the idea of gravitational lensing.

DOI10.1007/S00407-007-0008-4MaRDI QIDQ956715zbMATH OpenOpenAlexWikidataFDO

Authors Tilman Sauer

Publication date 26 November 2008

Published in Archive for History of Exact Sciences (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/0704.0963

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

History of mathematics in the 20th century (01A60) History of relativity and gravitational theory (83-03)

Abstract: 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.

Recommendations

• The origin of gravitational lensing. A postscript to Einstein's 1936 science paper: ``Lens-like action of a star by the deviation of light in the gravitational field [Science 84 (1936), 506--507] by A.\ Einstein
• Albert Einstein and the doubling of the deflection of light
• A misunderstanding in Soldner's interpretation of the gravitational deflection of light
• Einstein's `Zürich notebook' and his journey to general relativity
• Gravitational lensing in astronomy

Cites work

• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1894489 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1405994 (Why is no real title available?)
• Erwin Finlay Freundlich and testing Einstein's theory of relativity
• Lens-Like Action of a Star by the Deviation of Light in the Gravitational Field
• The Genesis of General Relativity
• The origin of gravitational lensing. A postscript to Einstein's 1936 science paper: ``Lens-like action of a star by the deviation of light in the gravitational field [Science 84 (1936), 506--507] by A.\ Einstein

Cited in

(4)

• Einstein on involutions in projective geometry
• Gravitational lensing in the Kerr-Randers optical geometry
• Exploring gravitational lensing
• The origin of gravitational lensing. A postscript to Einstein's 1936 science paper: ``Lens-like action of a star by the deviation of light in the gravitational field [Science 84 (1936), 506--507] by A.\ Einstein

This page was built for publication: Nova Geminorum 1912 and the origin of the idea of gravitational lensing.

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q956715)