Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington (1882–1944) was an English astrophysicist, mathematician, and philosopher known for his significant contributions to the fields of astrophysics and relativity theory. Here is a detailed biography of Arthur Eddington, highlighting key events in his life:
Early Life and Education:
- Birth: Arthur Stanley Eddington was born on December 28, 1882, in Kendal, Westmorland, England.
- Education at Owens College: Eddington attended Owens College in Manchester (now part of the University of Manchester), where he studied physics.
- Research at the Royal Observatory: Eddington began his research career at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, where he worked on solar spectroscopy and made contributions to the understanding of stellar structure.
Eclipse Expeditions and General Relativity:
- Solar Eclipse Expeditions (1919): Eddington organized and led two solar eclipse expeditions in 1919—one to Sobral, Brazil, and the other to the island of Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea. These expeditions aimed to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity by observing the bending of starlight near the Sun.
- Confirmation of General Relativity: Eddington’s measurements during the solar eclipse expeditions supported Einstein’s predictions, providing experimental confirmation of the bending of light in the gravitational field, as predicted by general relativity.
Professorship and Career:
- Professorship at Cambridge: In 1914, Eddington became Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at the University of Cambridge.
- Contributions to Astrophysics: Eddington made significant contributions to astrophysics, particularly in the understanding of stellar structure, the energy production mechanism in stars, and the process of stellar nucleosynthesis.
World War I and Quaker Pacifism:
- Conscientious Objector: Due to his Quaker beliefs, Eddington declared himself a conscientious objector during World War I and did not serve in the military.
- Eddington’s Eclipse: Eddington’s pacifism and contributions to astrophysics led to some controversy during the war, but his work remained influential.
Quantum Physics and Stellar Structure:
- Eddington Limit: Eddington formulated the concept of the Eddington limit, describing the maximum luminosity that a star can achieve before the radiation pressure becomes strong enough to counteract gravitational forces.
- Quantum Physics and Astrophysics: Eddington made connections between quantum physics and astrophysics, exploring the role of quantum processes in stellar interiors.
Relativistic Astrophysics:
- Relativistic Astrophysics: Eddington continued his work in relativistic astrophysics, exploring the effects of general relativity on the structure and behavior of stars.
Later Life and Legacy:
- Eddington Medal: In 1927, the Royal Astronomical Society established the Eddington Medal in his honor, awarded for investigations of outstanding merit in theoretical astrophysics.
- Retirement and Death: Eddington retired in 1944 and passed away on November 22, 1944, in Cambridge, England.
Publications and Writings:
- Books and Essays: Eddington authored several books, including “Space, Time and Gravitation” (1920) and “The Nature of the Physical World” (1928), which brought scientific ideas to a wider audience.
Legacy and Honors:
- Eddington Number: In honor of Eddington’s passion for cycling, the “Eddington number” is a cycling metric representing the number of days a cyclist has ridden a distance equal to or greater than their age.
- Honorary Degrees and Recognition: Eddington received numerous honorary degrees and was recognized for his exceptional contributions to theoretical astrophysics.
Arthur Eddington’s work in astrophysics and his experimental confirmation of Einstein’s theory of general relativity remain pivotal in the history of science. His contributions to both theoretical and observational astrophysics have left an enduring impact on our understanding of the cosmos.
