Page 48 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Albert Einstein and the theory of relativity
Albert Einstein (1879–1955) is regarded as one of the most important figures of 20th-century science. He developed a theory of relativity in 1905, in which he showed that there was a special relationship between space and time.
Although the effect of this relationship is not apparent in our everyday lives, it becomes vitally important when thinking about the nature of space because of the vast distances, huge gravities, and great speeds involved.
Einstein showed that it was possible for energy to be transformed into matter and vice versa. The well-known formula for this is:
e=mc2
where e=energy m=mass
c=the speed of light
By 1916 Einstein had developed his theory further, showing in his theory of general relativity that gravity is also related to space and time.
 Although it is easy to see the formation of galaxies and changes to stars, it seems far more difficult to identify stars with planetary systems in the making. This may just be what can be seen in the star DG Tau and in the dust disk surrounding it. It is a young star ringed by a swirling disk that may spin off planets.
DG Tau has not yet begun to burn hydrogen in its core. Such stars are called T-Tauri objects (see page 18).
Since 1995 astronomers have detected more than 100 extrasolar planets, many considered too large and close to their hot parent stars to sustain life. One in four lies within 16 million kilometres of the parent star. There is a gap of nearly 29 million kilometres between DG Tau and its orbiting dust disk.
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