The eclipse and Australia's role in proving Einstein's theory

By Peter Rossdeutscher FAICD

As we celebrate the Total Solar Eclipse in Exmouth, it's important to reflect on Australia's pivotal role in proving Einstein's theory of general relativity one years ago. The very same eclipse that this week captures the attention of scientists and space enthusiasts occurred in the same part of Australia in 1928, as was how the Wallal Expedition provided empirical evidence to support Einstein's theory. This extraordinary feat cannot be overstated, and its impact on modern space science has been felt in countless areas.

Led by Sir Arthur Eddington, the Wallal Expedition was a momentous occasion that saw a team of astronomers from around the world travel to Australia to photograph the total solar eclipse. The expedition was incredibly challenging, with the team battling harsh weather conditions and rugged terrain while transporting over 30 tonnes of equipment to the site. Despite the challenges, the team assembled, erected, and tested all mounts, various cameras, spectrographs, and telescopes on site. And ultimately proved Einstein's theory of general relativity correct in that gravity of a massive object like the sun could bend the path of light.

The Wallal Expedition was a collaborative effort that demonstrated the power of scientific exploration. While Einstein's theory was ground-breaking, it was only through the work of a range of scientists, administrators, the Australian Navy, and the local Nyangumarta people that it was proven. Astronomers worked closely with physicists and mathematicians to develop the instruments and techniques needed to test Einstein's theory, paving the way for a new era of collaboration between these different fields.

The outcomes have led to a fundamental shift in our understanding of the universe, from the nature of gravity and the behaviour of black holes to the evolution of the cosmos itself. The expedition's success also paved the way for a new era of collaboration between different fields of science, including the development of gravitational wave astronomy and the search for dark matter and dark energy.

Professor David Blair, a renowned physicist and coauthor of the book "Understanding Einstein's Universe," guided us through the remarkable journey of the Wallal Expedition and its far-reaching impact on modern space science. Addressing a gathering of members from the AROSE consortium and Planetary Society, he emphasized the expedition's pivotal role in confirming Einstein's theory and its profound implications for our comprehension of the cosmos. Blair highlighted how Einstein's theory revolutionized the field of astrophysics, providing us with a new perspective of the universe, where time and space are bent and undulated in response to all other matter in the universe.

Larissa Wiesse (International Space Centre, UWA), Virginia Mosk (Forrest Research Foundation), David Blair (Emeritus Professor, UWA), David Matrai (Australia in Space Magazine), Peter Rossdeutscher (Atomic Sky), Dr Loren Acton (NASA Astronaut, retired), Kyle Saltmarsh (AROSE), Ashley Aldridge (AROSE).