“November of Science”

Einstein to the power of four

With the aid of sophisticated detectors, the world's best laser systems and the Atlas supercomputer, scientists at the Albert Einstein Institute are working hard to find out more about the still unknown 96 percent of our universe. Their motto is “Take Einstein’s discoveries even further.” One of them is Dr. Peter Aufmuth. In the context of the “November of Science” Aufmuth will be explaining the background of this fascinating research that seeks to significantly expand our view of the world in the foreseeable future. He will take his guests on a miraculous journey where clocks run at slower and faster speeds, twins are suddenly not be the same age and the cosmos can be seen with new eyes, through the “light” of gravitational waves.

The lectures will take place on

Thursday, 13.11.2008 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: “As time goes by - watches, time and Einstein”

Tuesday, 18.11.2008 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: “Making waves with Einstein - gravitational waves and their proof”

Thursday, 20.11.2008 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: “Einstein's universe - the cosmological standard model”

Thursday, 27.11.2008, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: “Quantum foam and parallel worlds - quantum gravitation & string theory”

All lectures will be held in the Large Seminar Room (103) of the Center for Gravitational Physics in Callinstr. 38 (University Building 3401). Admission is free.

In his lectures, Peter Aufmuth will be explaining the methods by which physicists undertake their work and the difficulties that are associated with them. Their efforts serve the purpose of establishing a new form of astronomy, by examining the last still unsupported predictions of the theory of relativity, and then finally linking them to the laws of quantum mechanics. This task has occupied the third and fourth generation of scientists after Einstein.

Further information

- about the Institute can be found at www.aei-hannover.de.

- about the entire “November of Science” programme at www.science-hannover.de.

The Albert Einstein Institute in Hannover

This is a designation used for the collaboration between the Max Planck Society and the Leibniz Universität Hannover. The scientists concerned are conducting experimental gravitational wave research – something that includes basic research as well as applied research in the fields of laser physics, vacuum technology, vibration isolation, classical optics and quantum optics. In addition, Atlas, one of the most powerful supercomputers in Germany, is available at the AEI Hannover. Together with the theoretical part of the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics that is located in the Golm district of Potsdam, the AEI Hannover constitutes a unique research centre that embraces all aspects of gravitational physics.

Together with its British partners, the AEI Hannover operates the gravitational wave detector GEO600 in Ruthe near Sarstedt. Scientists at the Institute are also involved with LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), the gravitational wave detector in outer space. The NASA and ESA joint project to measure gravitational waves in space is to be launched in 2018 and from then on will allow scientists to probe deeper into the universe than ever before. In 2010, LISA Pathfinder will launch a satellite mission to test LISA technology.

“November of Science and Gaining Knowledge”

Starting on 30 October, for four weeks 45 institutions will be showing exciting scientific and research activities in Hannover for a total of approximately 125 events. Universities and scientific institutions will be opening their laboratories and lecture halls. Museums will explain the ways in which the past is explored. School laboratories will be opening their doors for experimentation and discovery. 35 events are especially aimed at schoolchildren. Various symposia, specialist conferences and a future conference await a regional and supra-regional public of experts from both science and business.

For the four weeks of November the walnut will be the symbol for science and research in Hannover. “The first ‘November of Science and Gaining Knowledge’ opens with a two-day festival of science. The fact that we can offer several events a day for a whole month demonstrates the importance of science, research and teaching in Hannover,” said Mayor Stephan Weil. “The ‘November of Science and Gaining Knowledge’ links different disciplines and is thus a sign for further collaboration in the Hannover scientific community,” added Weil.

“2008 November of Science and Gaining Knowledge” is a project of the Hannover Initiative for Science. The seven Hannover universities, the Volkswagen Foundation, the Hannover Student Union, scientific institutions and the state capital of Hannover have been involved in this project for the last two years.