General Relativity

General Relativity

separation normal matter dark matter galaxy cluster
There are many theories of gravity out there, and many interpretations of wide binary star data. What have we really learned from it all?
Raisin bread expanding Universe
The evidence that the Universe is expanding is overwhelming. But how? By stretching the existing space, or by creating new space itself?
Holograms preserve all of an object's 3D information, but on a 2D surface. Could the holographic Universe idea lead us to higher dimensions?
A bright flash of light in the Universe
In general relativity, white holes are just as mathematically plausible as black holes. Black holes are real; what about white holes?
universe temperature
In the 20th century, many options abounded as to our cosmic origins. Today, only the Big Bang survives, thanks to this critical evidence.
distant quasar
The Universe is expanding, and the Hubble constant tells us how fast. But how can it be a constant if the expansion is accelerating?
space expanding
Yes, the Universe is expanding, but if you've ever wondered, "How fast is it expanding," the answer isn't in terms of a speed at all.
travel straight line
Is the Universe finite or infinite? Does it go on forever or loop back on itself? Here's what would happen if you traveled forever.
cosmic epochs lookback hubble 13.8 billion
The Universe is 13.8 billion years old, going back to the hot Big Bang. But was that truly the beginning, and is that truly its age?
Abstract representation of a cosmic event with a burst of particles emanating from a central point, blending astrophysical imagery with geometric designs.
The "first cause" problem may forever remain unsolved, as it doesn’t fit with the way we do science.
A split image showing Emmy Noether with equations on the left, and a "before and after" physics diagram illustrating symmetry conserved quantity on the right.
First derived by Emmy Noether, for every symmetry a theory possesses, there's an associated conserved quantity. Here's the profound link.
MACS J0717 galaxy cluster dark matter
There are a wide variety of theoretical studies that call our Standard Model of cosmology into question. Here's what they really mean.
quantum gravity
Physicists just can't leave an incomplete theory alone; they try to repair it. When nature is kind, it can lead to a major breakthrough.
Because of dark energy, distant objects speed away from us faster and faster as time goes on. How long before every galaxy is out of reach?
parity mirror universe
Symmetries aren't just about folding or rotating a piece of paper, but have a profound array of applications when it comes to physics.
A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.
The Multiverse fuels some of the 21st century's best fiction stories. But its supporting pillars are on extremely stable scientific footing.
Man in a suit posing with a vintage BBC Big Bang 75 microphone.
To Fred Hoyle, the Big Bang was nothing more than a creationist myth. 75 years later, it's cemented as the beginning of our Universe.
inflation spawn parallel universes
When cosmic inflation came to an end, the hot Big Bang ensued as a result. If our cosmic vacuum state decays, could it all happen again?
nasa merge black hole
So far, gravitational waves have revealed stellar mass black holes and neutron stars, plus a cosmic background. So much more is coming.
Einstein field equations
Although many of Einstein's papers revolutionized physics, there's one Einsteinian advance, generally, that towers over all the rest.
wormhole nasa illustration
Without wormholes, warp drive, or some type of new matter, energy, or physics, everyone is limited by the speed of light. Or are they?
An image of a man standing in a black hole.
Want to avoid getting "spaghettified" by a black hole? Steer clear of the smaller ones.
An image of an e - ring in space.
Here's why the answer may forever elude scientists.
An image of a spiral galaxy in the night sky.
Physicists have yet to pinpoint the hypothetical matter that keeps galaxies from flying apart. Now they have a new focus.
Thanks to observations of gravitational waves, scientists were able to settle a longstanding debate over the speed of gravity.
quantum gravity
For generations, physicists have been searching for a quantum theory of gravity. But what if gravity isn't actually quantum at all?
a visualization showing the view from inside the inner event horizon of a Kerr black hole
The brilliant mind who discovered the spacetime solution for rotating black holes claims singularities don't physically exist. Is he right?
Two clocks displaying the accurate time on a blue background.
Our intuitive understanding of time is very different from a physicist's understanding of time. How do we reconcile these views?
An image of a black hole in the middle of a grid.
Roger Babson wanted a “partial insulator, reflector, or absorber of gravity” — something, anything, that would stop or dampen it.
colliding black holes
All matter particles can act as waves, and massless light waves show particle-like behavior. Can gravitational waves also be particle-like?