6. Albert Einstein's theories of relativity (early 1900's)
The reworking of our understanding
of space and time by this German-born scientist
transformed scientific views of the universe. This scientific
revolution was based on his
special theory of relativity (1905), a theory of
motion that led to his famous equation E equals mc squared, and
his general theory
of relativity (1916), a theory of gravity. The verification
of the general theory's prediction
of the bending of light by the sun at a total
solar eclipse in 1919 electrified scientists and made Einstein a
household name. Modern cosmology
is based on his theories.
More information:
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Jay M. Pasachoff
is the Field Memorial Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Hopkins Observatory at Williams College. His Top 10 list largely relates major world events to a number of important developments in astronomy. He points to the establishment of the Nobel Prizes as an event that helped spark public interest in science.
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