|
How did the Universe begin? Does time have a beginning and an end? Does space have edges?
Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity predicted answers to these questions that were so incredible that even he did not accept them: space is expanding from a Big Bang, space itself contains an energy that is pulling the Universe apart from within, and deep chasms of gravity called black holes actually exist.
Astonishingly, all of these wild ideas are now known to be true. But now we need to build on Einstein's work to take the next step – to study the underlying physics of the very phenomena that came out of his theories. We must also test them at their extreme limits to see if there are any circumstances where his theories break down. In other words, we need to go beyond Einstein.
This is where NASA’s Beyond Einstein program comes in. The program consists of a series of space missions, large and small, that push Einstein's theories to their limits, using increasingly more sensitive probes. Scientists and engineers are developing powerful new technologies that will make them possible. The two flagship missions now in development, Constellation-X and LISA, will explore extremes of space, measuring X-rays and gravitational waves. The smaller missions, the Einstein probes, will target specific science questions. We strive to go Beyond Einstein and learn:
|
"Beyond Einstein" Research Should Begin With Mission to Study Dark Energy [
NASA has established a new office to study cosmic phenomena: dark energy, black holes, and cosmic microwave background radiation. [
