The 1919 measurement of the deflection of light

Abstract

The measurement of the deflection of starlight during a total solar eclipse on May 29, 1919 was the first verification of general relativity by an external team of scientists, brought Einstein and his theory to the attention of the general public, and left a legacy of experimental testing that continues today. The discovery of gravitational lenses turned Einstein's deflection into an important tool for astronomy and cosmology. This article reviews the history of the 1919 measurement and other eclipse measurements, describes modern measurements of the effect using radio astronomy, and of its cousin, the Shapiro time delay, and discusses gravitational lenses.

17 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravity for its "Milestones of General Relativity" focus issue to be published during the Centenary Year of GR

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