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WHAT: Global Positioning System in Curved Space-time and Other Applications of General Relativity

WHO: Argenis DaSilva (LSU PhD Defense)

WHEN: 10:30AM TUE 23 JUN 09

WHERE: NICHOLSON 435

ABSTRACT:    In this work, we intent to explore a couple of applications of General Relativity.
The first one is a very earhtly application. It is the Global Positioning
System (GPS) which has a strong presence in the everyday life. Its enormous
range of applications includes synchronization of power lines nodes,
mapping, navigation, search and rescue, Very Long Baseline Interferometry,
etc. The second one is the general relativistic description of gravitational
collapse. After the nuclear fuel that powers the stars is exhausted, the stars
begin a process of collapse. In general, the matter density in such processes
is so high that the newtonian approximation is no longer valid. And for such
reason, we are forced to solve the Einstein equations.