Tests of General Relativity

Journal Article · Thu Sep 22 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3635826· OSTI ID:21611638

Kramer, Michael ^[1]

---

1. MPI fuer Radioastronomie, Auf dem Huegel 69, 53121 Bonn (Germany)

The last years have seen continuing activities in the exploration of our understanding of gravity, motivated by results from precision cosmology and new precision astrophysical experiments. At the centre of attention lies the question as to whether general relativity is the correct theory of gravity. In answering this question, we work not only towards correctly interpreting the phenomenon of 'dark energy' but also towards the goal of achieving a quantum theory of gravity. In these efforts, the observations of pulsars, especially those in binary systems, play an important role. Pulsars do not only provide the only evidence for the existence of gravitational waves so far, but they also provide precision tests of general relativity and alternative theories of gravity. This talk summarizes the current state-of-art in these experiments and looks into the future.

• OSTI ID: 21611638
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1381, Issue 1; Conference: TEXAS 2010: 25. Texas symposium on relativistic astrophysics, Heidelberg (Germany), 6-10 Dec 2010; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3635826; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ASTROPHYSICS
BLACK HOLES
COSMOLOGY
GALAXIES
GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY
GRAVITATION
GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
NONLUMINOUS MATTER
PULSARS
QUADRUPOLE MOMENTS
QUANTUM GRAVITY
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
FIELD THEORIES
MATTER
PHYSICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
RELATIVITY THEORY