Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Author Addresses
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Exact and inexact solutions of the Einstein field equations
- 3 Inertial forces in general relativity
- 4 Relativistic radiation hydrodynamics: a covariant theory of flux-limiters
- 5 Relativistic gravitational collapse
- 6 The cosmic censorship hypothesis
- 7 The Kerr metric: a gateway to the roots of gravity?
- 8 Galactic astronomy since 1950
- 9 Galaxy distribution functions
- 10 Nonlinear galaxy clustering
- 11 Quasars: progress and prospects
- 12 Decaying neutrinos in astronomy and cosmology
- 13 Cosmological principles
- 14 Anisotropic and inhomogeneous cosmologies
- 15 Mach's principle and isotropic singularities
- 16 Implications of superconductivity in cosmic string theory
- 17 The formation and evaporation of primordial black holes
- 18 Evaporation of two dimensional black holes
- 19 Topology and topology change in general relativity
- 20 Decoherence of the cluttered quantum vacuum
- 21 Quantum non-locality and complex reality
- 22 The different levels of connections between science and objective reality
1 - Introduction
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Author Addresses
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Exact and inexact solutions of the Einstein field equations
- 3 Inertial forces in general relativity
- 4 Relativistic radiation hydrodynamics: a covariant theory of flux-limiters
- 5 Relativistic gravitational collapse
- 6 The cosmic censorship hypothesis
- 7 The Kerr metric: a gateway to the roots of gravity?
- 8 Galactic astronomy since 1950
- 9 Galaxy distribution functions
- 10 Nonlinear galaxy clustering
- 11 Quasars: progress and prospects
- 12 Decaying neutrinos in astronomy and cosmology
- 13 Cosmological principles
- 14 Anisotropic and inhomogeneous cosmologies
- 15 Mach's principle and isotropic singularities
- 16 Implications of superconductivity in cosmic string theory
- 17 The formation and evaporation of primordial black holes
- 18 Evaporation of two dimensional black holes
- 19 Topology and topology change in general relativity
- 20 Decoherence of the cluttered quantum vacuum
- 21 Quantum non-locality and complex reality
- 22 The different levels of connections between science and objective reality
Summary
The past 30 years have seen a great revival of General Relativity and Cosmology, and major developments in astrophysics. On the theoretical side this has been centred on the rise of the Hot Big Bang model of cosmology and on our developing understanding of the properties of black holes. On the observational side it has been based on astonishing improvement of detectors and measuring instruments in astronomy and experimental relativity, in particular enabling measurement of the microwave background radiation and extension of astronomical observations to the whole electromagnetic spectrum.
Dennis Sciama has played an important role in these developments, particularly through the research schools he has run at Cambridge, Oxford, and Trieste, supervising and inspiring many research students who have worked on these topics, and challenging his colleagues with penetrating questions about the physics and mathematics involved. The extent of his influence will become apparent on studying the Family Tree of students, and the list of books that have been the product of those who have taken part in these research groups (see below).
Dennis' 65th Birthday was on November 18, 1991. To mark this event, a meeting was held at SISSA, Trieste (Italy) from 13th to 15th April, 1992, under the title The Renaissance of General Relativity and Cosmology: A survey meeting to celebrate the 65th birthday of Dennis Sciama.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Renaissance of General Relativity and CosmologyA Survey to Celebrate the 65th Birthday of Dennis Sciama, pp. 1 - 19Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1993