The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time
50th Anniversary Edition

This influential work explores Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and its predictions relating to singularities in space-time.

Stephen W. Hawking (Author), George F. R. Ellis (Author)

9781009253154, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 February 2023

410 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.4 cm, 0.8 kg

'La parution de ce livre est un événement important …' La Recherche

First published in 1973, this influential work discusses Einstein's General Theory of Relativity to show how two of its predictions arise: first, that the ultimate fate of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse to form 'black holes'; and second, that there was a singularity in the past at the beginning of the universe. Starting with a precise formulation of the theory, including the necessary differential geometry, the authors discuss the significance of space-time curvature and examine the properties of a number of exact solutions of Einstein's field equations. They develop the theory of the causal structure of a general space-time, and use it to prove a number of theorems establishing the inevitability of singularities under certain conditions. A Foreword contributed by Abhay Ashtekar and a new Preface from George Ellis help put the volume into context of the developments in the field over the past fifty years.

Foreword to the Anniversary Edition Abhay Ashtekar
Preface to the Anniversary Edition George F. R. Ellis
Preface
1. The role of gravity
2. Differential geometry
3. General relativity
4. The physical significance of curvature
5. Exact solutions
6. Causal structure
7. The Cauchy problem in General Relativity
8. Space-time singularities
9. Gravitational collapse and black holes
10. The initial singularity in the universe
Appendixes
References
Notation
Index.

Subject Areas: Mathematical physics [PHU], Relativity physics [PHR], Cosmology & the universe [PGK]