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Einstein, de Sitter and the beginning of relativistic cosmology in 1917

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Abstract

In 1917, both Einstein and de Sitter proposed a new interpretation of the universe as a whole: the structure of the universe could be described in terms of relativistic field equations. Their contributions marked the beginning of the modern scientific comprehension of the origin and evolution of the universe. Our aim is to propose a critical review paper, based on references in primary sources, on the formulation in 1917 of Einstein’s and de Sitter’s models of the universe, which represents a fundamental chapter in the history of relativistic Cosmology.

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  1. Department of Astronomy, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Matteo Realdi

  2. Department of Physics, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Giulio Peruzzi

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  1. Matteo Realdi
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  2. Giulio Peruzzi
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Realdi, M., Peruzzi, G. Einstein, de Sitter and the beginning of relativistic cosmology in 1917. Gen Relativ Gravit 41, 225–247 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-008-0664-y

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