Ulm 2004 – scientific programme

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PV: Plenarvorträge

PV IV

PV IV: Plenary Talk

Monday, March 15, 2004, 11:30–12:30, H22

Was Einstein right? — •Clifford M. Will — McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, Department of Physics, Washington University, St. Louis, USA — Institut d’Astrophysique, Paris, France

We review the experimental evidence for Einstein’s general relativity. Tests of the Einstein Equivalence Principle support the postulates of curved spacetime, while solar-system experiments strongly confirm weak-field general relativity. Binary pulsars provide tests of gravitational-wave damping and of strong-field general relativity. We describe ongoing and future experiments, such as the Stanford Gyroscope Experiment, a satellite test of the Equivalence principle, and tests of gravity at short distance to look for extra spatial dimensions. Recently operational laser interferometric gravitational-wave observatories, and a future space interferometer, may provide new tests via the properties of gravitational waves. We also describe the impact of general relativity on daily life.