Early astronomical tests of general relativity: the anomalous advance in the perihelion of Mercury and gravitational redshift
Article
Article Title | Early astronomical tests of general relativity: the anomalous advance in the perihelion of Mercury and gravitational redshift |
---|---|
Article Category | Article |
Authors | |
Author | Treschman, Keith John |
Journal Title | Asian Journal of Physics |
Journal Citation | 23 (1 & 2), pp. 171-188 |
Number of Pages | 18 |
Year | 2014 |
Place of Publication | India |
Web Address (URL) | http://asianjournalofphysics.in/content2/vol-23-no-1n2 |
Abstract | There were three astronomical tests of general relativity. Besides the gravitational bending of light, there were the anomalous advance of the perihelion of Mercury and gravitational redshift. The early history of these latter two tests is addressed here. For Mercury, data for its position were obtained principally from transit phenomena. Le Verrier was the first to account for the known perturbation effects on the elliptical orbit of Mercury and calculated an unexplained discrepancy. This was supported by Newcomb who revised the figure. With the use of his general theory of relativity, Einstein appeared to calculate this disagreement from Newtonian principles. Yet, other avenues needed to be explored before an acceptance of general relativity as a reasonable paradigm. This is part of a more general query of when should scientists endorse a theory. |
Keywords | general relativity, history of astronomical tests |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 510105. General relativity and gravitational waves |
519999. Other physical sciences not elsewhere classified | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Agricultural, Computational and Environmental Sciences |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q2vw4/early-astronomical-tests-of-general-relativity-the-anomalous-advance-in-the-perihelion-of-mercury-and-gravitational-redshift
1764
total views8
total downloads1
views this month0
downloads this month