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organized by the University of Potsdam and the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational
Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)
1st - 12th March 2010
The University of Potsdam and the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert
Einstein Institute) offer a crash course on the physical and mathematical foundations of
gravity. This course can be attended by students holding an intermediate diploma in Physics
or Mathematics. The seminar consists of three separate lecture series: The lectures will be
given in English.
- Introduction to Gravitational field theory (Mikolaj Korzynski, Jacques Smulevici)
- Geometric Aspects of Mass and Black Holes (Jan Metzger)
- Black Holes and Neutron Stars (Jörg Hennig)
The timetable is arranged to provide two lectures in the morning, each one lasting 90 minutes.
In the afternoon there will be opportunities for questions and discussions.
The lectures will take place daily from 9.00-10.30 and 11.00-12.30 in the lecture hall of the
main building of the Max Planck campus in Golm (near Potsdam). They will be given in
German. Participants studying outside the area Potsdam-Berlin will be supported financially
with 200 Euros. The "Fachschaft Physik" of the University of Potsdam will provide assistance
in finding accomodation. Information on how to get to the Max Planck campus in Golm can
be found here.
Contact
Dr. Lars Andersson
Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics
Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Golm bei Potsdam
Registration
Please use this form and send it via e-mail to fkurs@aei.mpg.de, deadline 15th December 2009. In the second half of January we will inform the participants who can be admitted. Note
that the number of participants is limited to 50.
Abstracts of the lecture series
1) Introduction to Gravitational field theory
We start the introduction of the physical fundaments of General Relativity by reviewing the
concepts of time, space, mass and force in Newtonian physics as well as in Special Relativity.
We then present the basic assumptions of General Relativity, i.e. the Lorentzian spacetime
structures and Einstein's field equations, and depict empirical testings. Further topics include
Gravitational Radiation, the initial value problem, spherically symmetric spacetimes, neutron
star models, gravitational collapse, black holes.
2) Geometric Aspects of Mass and Black Holes
At the heart of general relativity lies the relation of mass to spacetime curvature. Here we
discuss the question what geometry can tell us about the matter, matter density, and global
aspects of isolated systems. Moreover, we consider conditions for the formation of black
holes.
3) Black Holes and Neutron Stars
We discuss black holes and neutron stars as important examples for compact astrophysical
objects whose accurate mathematical description essentially requires General Relativity. In
particular, we derive the Schwarzschild solution and study its physical properties (geodesic
motion, perihelion precession, light deflection, gravitational redshift). Further topics include:
The initial value problem in general relativity, gravitational collapse and black hole
formation, spherically symmetric spacetimes and neutron star models.
Requirements:
Basic knowledge of differential geometry, Newtonian mechanics and gravity, special
relativity.
The notes skriptdiffgeo.pdf (on differential geometry) and skriptmechgrav.pdf (on mechanics
and gravitation) will give some of the appropriate background material.
References
- N. Straumann, General Relativity, Springer, Berlin 2004
- W. Rindler, Introduction to Special Relativity, Oxford University Press 1982
- N.M.J. Woodhouse, Special Relativity, Springer, Berlin 1992
- R. Wald, Space, Time and Gravity, University of Chicago Press, 1992
- C. Misner, K. Thorn, J. Wheeler, Gravitation, Freemann and Company, 1973
- H. Stephani, General Relativity, C.U.P.,1990
- S. W. Hawking, G. F. R. Ellis, The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time, C.U.P., 1975.
Scripts:
Script for the lecture "Black holes and Neutron stars" :
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