In 1919\, two expeditions sent by the Brit ish Royal Astronomical Society to observe a total Solar Eclipse (in Brazil and off the coast of West-Africa) spectacularly confirmed theoretical pre dictions 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 "internatio nal 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 phenomeno n had failed (sometimes under dramatic circumstances) - which ultimately c an be almost seen as a stroke of luck\, ironically. We will also mention h ow the same principle of light-bending due to the presence of mass is stil l used today\, and in fact\, pioneered by OSU researchers in the search fo r extrasolar planets.
\nRegistration is required for this pr ogram. \;Attendees will receive a pair of eclipse glasses\, w hile supplies last.
\nAbout the Presenter:
\n
Dr. Stephan Frank\, PhD \;was born\, raised\, and edu
cated in the South of Germany (with a short\, but meaningful interval in E
dinburgh\, 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 ye
ars in Marseille.
\;
In 2011\, Dr. Frank returned to OSU (a
nd Otterbein University)\, both in research and teaching\, with a focus on
outreach and education to the public.
Besides Astronomy\, there i s always: running (14 completed marathons\, which my wife potentially some what correctly calls a bit obsessive)\, soccer (which even I call myself o bsessed)\, 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 forg et: my two girls keep me extremely busy as an educator and entertainer!&nb sp\;I have retained the ability to speak German\, babble incoherently in F rench\, and can decipher Latin.
\nhttps://bexley.libnet.info/event/9903 728 URL;VALUE=URI:https://bexley.libnet.info/event/9903728 ATTACH:https://static.libnet.info/images/events/bexley/Eclipse_Astronomy_A dventures_Communico.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR