Prof. Daniel John Kennefick
University of Arkansas
Not Only Because of Theory: The Meaning of Eddington’s “bias”
Abstract:
As the centenary of the 1919 Eclipse approaches, Arthur Stanley Eddington remains in the dock, accused of prejudging the outcome of the experiment he helped conduct to test Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. I discuss the reasons for his alleged bias towards GR but also show that it was his colleague Frank Watson Dyson who actually made the key decisions and argue that these were justified, especially in light of modern reanalysis of the eclipse plates. The Eclipse made Einstein world famous and it is well worth returning to the topic for the centenary, especially in view of the significant contribution made by Irish astronomers and instrument makers.
Location: 31 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
Upcoming seminars:
https://www.dias.ie/2018/03/07/astronomy-and-astrophysics-seminar-schedule-2018/
Leave a Comment
Posted: 9th February 2018 by Rebeca Garcia
2018-03-07, 12:00, Prof. Daniel J. Kennefick (University of Arkansas), Not Only Because of Theory: The Meaning of Eddington’s “bias” at the 1919 Eclipse
Prof. Daniel John Kennefick
University of Arkansas
Not Only Because of Theory: The Meaning of Eddington’s “bias”
Abstract:
As the centenary of the 1919 Eclipse approaches, Arthur Stanley Eddington remains in the dock, accused of prejudging the outcome of the experiment he helped conduct to test Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. I discuss the reasons for his alleged bias towards GR but also show that it was his colleague Frank Watson Dyson who actually made the key decisions and argue that these were justified, especially in light of modern reanalysis of the eclipse plates. The Eclipse made Einstein world famous and it is well worth returning to the topic for the centenary, especially in view of the significant contribution made by Irish astronomers and instrument makers.
Location: 31 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
Upcoming seminars: /astronomy-and-astrophysics-se minar-schedule-2018/
https://www.dias.ie/2018/03/07
Category: Seminars
Recent Posts
International physics conference, hosted by DIAS, seeks to address gender equality
DIAS Astrophotography competition goes mobile for 2024
Irish scientists are part of groundbreaking discovery with James Webb Space Telescope
Dr Pauline Gagnon (formerly of CERN) to deliver two talks at DIAS
DIAS Professor announced as next President of the European Southern Observatory’s Council
Language switcher