Paradigm Shifts
A number of simultaneous paradigm shifts characterize the Golden Age of general relativity. First and foremost, the Big Bang became the canonical cosmological model. Other paradigm shifts included a growing appreciation of the:
- Role of curvature in general relativity;
- Theoretical importance of black holes;
- Importance of geometrical machinery and levels of mathematical structure, especially local versus global spacetime structure;
- Overall legitimacy of cosmology by the wider physics community.
The golden age witnessed the first worthy competitor to general relativity (the Brans–Dicke theory), and the first "precision tests" of gravitation theories. The era also saw a number of astounding discoveries in observational astronomy:
- Quasars (objects the size of the solar system and as luminous as a hundred modern galaxies, so distant that they date from the early years of the universe);
- Pulsars (soon interpreted as spinning neutron stars);
- The first credible candidate black hole, Cygnus X-1;
- The cosmic background radiation, hard evidence of the Big Bang and the subsequent expansion of the universe.
Read more about this topic: Golden Age Of General Relativity
Famous quotes containing the words paradigm and/or shifts:
“As in political revolutions, so in paradigm choice—there is no standard higher than the assent of the relevant community. To discover how scientific revolutions are effected, we shall therefore have to examine not only the impact of nature and of logic, but also the techniques of persuasive argumentation effective within the quite special groups that constitute the community of scientists.”
—Thomas S. Kuhn (b. 1922)
“The flattering, if arbitrary, label, First Lady of the Theatre, takes its toll. The demands are great, not only in energy but eventually in dramatic focus. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a star to occupy an inch of space without bursting seams, cramping everyone else’s style and unbalancing a play. No matter how self-effacing a famous player may be, he makes an entrance as a casual neighbor and the audience interest shifts to the house next door.”
—Helen Hayes (1900–1993)