爱因斯坦的相对论是怎样改变了世界.docxVIP

JUDY WOODRUFF: But, first, this week marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Albert Einsteins greatest work, a series of papers laying out the general theory of relativity. Gwen has a look at how it changed our understanding of the cosmos and the man behind the ideas. She recorded this conversation earlier this week. GWEN IFILL: His work transformed our way of living at the cosmos. When Einstein put forward his general theory of relativity, that gravity itself is the bending of space and time by mass and energy, it was a seminal moment in the history of science. Today, the importance of his work is even better recognized than a century ago. NOVA pays tribute tonight with a special program called Inside Einsteins Mind. Heres a clip about how its seen today. MAN: The best theories in physics always take to places where the people who invented them didnt imagine. And a truly wonderful theory like general relativity predicts all sorts of things that Einstein didnt conceive of. The theory has a life of its own. We understand general relativity much better right now than Albert Einstein ever did. MAN: And liftoff of space shuttle Discovery with the Hubble space telescope, our window on the universe. NARRATOR: Today, 100 years after general relativity is first presented, new technology is allowing us to explore the most remarkable predictions of the theory, an expanding universe, black holes, ripples in space-time, and perhaps the most bizarre, the idea that not just space, but time itself, is distorted by heavy objects. GWEN IFILL: Walter Isaacson, whos in tonights special, is the author of a well-known biography on Einstein. Hes also the CEO of the Aspen Institute. Welcome, Walter. WALTER ISAACSON, Author, Einstein: His Life and Universe: Good to be back, Gwen. GWEN IFILL: You have said that the theory, the general theory of relativity — Im going to say that right — is the most beautiful theory in the history of science. What do you mean by that? WALTER ISAACSO