Erwin Finlay-Freundlich¶
Erwin Finlay-Freundlich (1885–1964) — German and British astronomer, staff member of the Berlin Observatory, the first German scientist to undertake an experimental test of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity.
Overview¶
In 1911, having read the work of Albert Einstein on the deflection of light rays in the gravitational field of the Sun, Freundlich volunteered to organize astronomical observations during a solar eclipse. He led the German expedition to Crimea in August 1914, where he was to join forces with Argentine astronomers from the Córdoba Observatory.
Key Details / Subtopics¶
- Organization of the Crimean expedition: Having received the support of Einstein, Max Planck, and the Krupp Foundation, Freundlich, together with two colleagues, set out for Crimea in July 1914.
- Arrest in Crimea: With the outbreak of World War I, russian military counterintelligence detained the German astronomers in Crimea on suspicion of espionage because of their possession of powerful optical instruments.
- Exchange and return: Soon the captive astronomers were exchanged through the mediation of the Red Cross for russian subjects detained in Germany.
Sources and Links¶
- Speed of light in the dark realm — an article by Valeriy Verkhovsky ("Krymska svitlytsia", 2018, No. 33).
- Albert Einstein — founder of the theory of relativity.
- Crimean expedition to verify the theory of relativity (1914) — a scientific and astronomical expedition in the Crimean Mountains.
- Valeriy Verkhovsky — researcher of the history of Crimea.