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/
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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:
https://www.dias.ie/2018/03/07
Category: Seminars
Big thank you to @MartinaPQuinn of @helloalicepr for moderating the discussion, and of course to our panel @NeasaMcG @CormacORafferty and @laoneill111
@CormacORafferty "to cut yourself off from fundamental research means you could miss out on some of the biggest ideas"
@laoneill "it's our job as researchers to keep reminding governments how important basic research is" "For Dev basic research being carried out in Ireland was a badge of pride"
@NeasaMcG Schrödinger's work in causality was not well received by the religious authorities at the time At the same time DIAS did have Catholic priests working on research projects in the early days, so there was not the conflict you might think between science and religion
@laoneill111 Schrödinger was very popular in social circles in Dublin, a bit of a renaissance man
@CormacORafferty Schrödinger was gifted at explaining difficult concepts
@CormacORafferty on how unsuccessful work, in Schrödinger's case, unified field theory, is just as important part of science. And no one has managed to crack it yet! And not forgetting the cat
@laoneill111 how Schrödinger's book inspired scientists to change fields and result in the finding of the double helix.
@NeasaMcG explaining how DIAS came about and how Schrödinger was attracted to Ireland #DIASdiscovers
Panel Discussion getting underway! @laoneill111 @CormacORafferty @NeasaMcG @MartinaPQuinn
We're half way through the documentary... Join us for the rest and the fascinating discussion to follow DM for link
@Stella15882 @NeasaMcG @HistFest @lukeoneil47 @CormacORafferty @MartinaPQuinn Stella, send me an email. I'll get a link to you communications@dias.ie
Starting in just over an hour we have limited tickets left for tonights broadcast and panel discussion. Get your free ticket now twitter.com/DIAS_Dublin/st…
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Meet some of our panelists for tomorrows discussion on the impact and legacy of the work carried out by Erwin Schroedinger during his time in Ireland as our first Director of Theoretical Physics Grab a free ticket here: eventbrite.ie/e/115984908985