• DOI:10.1140/epjh/e2013-40037-6.
• Corpus ID: 55511913

Einstein’s conversion from his static to an expanding universe

@article{Nussbaumer2013EinsteinsCF,
  title={Einstein’s conversion from his static to an expanding universe},
  author={Harry Nussbaumer},
  journal={The European Physical Journal H},
  year={2013},
  volume={39},
  pages={37-62}
}

• H. Nussbaumer
• Published 12 November 2013
• Physics
• The European Physical Journal H

Abstract
In 1917 Einstein initiated modern cosmology by postulating, based on general relativity,
a homogenous, static, spatially curved universe. To counteract gravitational contraction
he introduced the cosmological constant. In 1922 Alexander Friedman showed that Albert
Einstein’s fundamental equations also allow dynamical worlds, and in 1927 Georges
Lemaître, backed by observational evidence, concluded that our universe was expanding.
Einstein impetuously rejected Friedman’s as well as Lemaître’s findings. However, in 1931
he retracted his former static model in favour of a dynamic solution. This investigation
follows Einstein on his hesitating path from a static to the expanding universe. Contrary
to an often advocated belief the primary motive for his switch was not observational
evidence, but the realisation that his static model was unstable.