“The night that creates knowledge” 2018 at the Albert Einstein Institute Hanover
Public lectures, guided tours and an Einstein cinema – experience the exciting world of gravitational physics on 10th November from 6 p.m. until midnight
What do scientists deal with in their daily work? How do they do research in their laboratories, by using large supercomputers, and sometimes simply with paper and pencil? On 10th November 2018, between 6 p.m. and midnight, “The Night that Creates Knowledge” will take place in Hanover. Anyone interested can take a look behind the scenes of research and gain unique insights into the work of the scientists. The Institute for Gravitational Physics at Leibniz Universität Hannover and the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) will offer lectures, tours and short films from the world of research in the “Einstein Cinema”.
Lectures in room 103/106
18:15 CET (duration max. 45 min)
Lecture (in German): “Einstein's Universe - The General Theory of Relativity”
Einstein first presented his General Theory of Relativity about 100 years ago. It revolutionized our understanding of the Universe and is one of the best tested physical theories. In this hands-on lecture you will learn what lies behind “time dilatation” and black holes and why we depend on the theory of relativity practically every day. (Speaker: Stina Scheer)
19:15 CET (duration max. 45 min)
Lecture (in German): “What do we need black holes for?”
The LIGO gravitational-wave detectors have observed several mergers of black holes. These instruments have unprecedented precision to measure the tiny effects of gravitational waves from distant galaxies. But what can we actually use it for? What can we learn from these events and will it be useful to us here on Earth? (Speaker: Dr. Alex Nielsen)
20:15 CET (duration max. 45 min)
Lecture (in German): “Lasers for the Dark Side of the Universe”
Since September 2015, physicists have been listening to the dark side of the universe with gravitational waves for the first time in human history, hearing black holes and neutron stars merge. This is possible thanks to high-precision lasers specially developed in Hanover for this purpose. But what is so special about this laser light, what can you do with it and how can you use it to build microphones for the universe? (Speaker: Prof. Dr. Benno Willke)
21:15 CET (duration max. 45 min)
Lecture (in German): “LISA and its pathfinder”
From 2015 to 2017, the LISA Pathfinder satellite mission tested completely new technology for gravitational-wave measurements in space for the first time. The results and experience gained will now be employed for the planning and construction of LISA. LISA will be the largest gravitational-wave observatory ever built as a 2.5 million kilometre triangular formation in space. It will listen to supermassive black holes merging throughout the entire Universe and to millions of double stars orbiting our galaxy. (Speakers: Sarah Paczkowski and Andreas Wittchen)
22:15 CET (duration max. 45 min)
Lecture (in German): “Black holes made audible”
Most black holes in our universe are hard to find, at least if you look for light. However, when two black holes orbit each other, they emit gravitational waves that are even audible after processing. Scientists at the Albert Einstein Institute are working on finding exactly these sounds and understanding them correctly. With success! Hear for yourself what black holes tell us about them. (Speaker: Dr. Frank Ohme)
Guided tours (meeting point in the entrance area)
18:15 CET, 19:15 CET, 20:15 CET (max. 20 persons each, duration 30 min each)
Guided tours of the Atlas supercomputer (in German)
Take a look behind the scenes of cutting-edge research at the Atlas computer cluster at the Albert Einstein Institute. It is the world's most powerful supercomputer used for gravitational-wave data analysis and was instrumental in the first direct detection of gravitational waves in September 2015. (Speaker: Dr. Carsten Aulbert)
Einstein Cinema (Room 128)
18:00 - 24:00 CET
Einstein Cinema (short films on research)
During the entire “Night that Creates Knowledge” various short films about research at the Albert Einstein Institute are shown in the Einstein Cinema. Topics are the first direct detection of gravitational waves, the satellite mission LISA Pathfinder, LISA, GRACE Follow-On and the gravitational wave detector GEO600.
