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Autograph letter signed : Prague, to Erwin Finlay Freundlich, 1912 Jan. 8.

BIB_ID
292040
Accession number
MA 4725.3
Creator
Einstein, Albert, 1879-1955.
Display Date
1912 Jan. 8.
Credit line
Gift of Mr. Horace Wood Brock, Mr. John Biddle Brock, and Ms. Hope Brock Winthrop, in loving memory of their parents, Horace Brock (1918-1981) and Hope Distler Brock (1908-1988), 1991.
Description
1 item (2 p.) ; 17.3 cm
Notes
Part of a collection of 25 letters from Albert Einstein to the German astronomer Erwin Finlay Freundlich. Letters are described individually in 25 catalog records (MA 4725.1-25).
Written from Prag. Signed A. Einstein.
Provenance
Mr. Horace Wood Brock, Mr. John Biddle Brock, and Ms. Hope Brock Winthrop.
Summary
Discussing light deflection at length. Stating that Einstein is very glad that Freundlich embraces the matter with such enthusiasm, and expressing curiosity to learn the results of Freundlich's related research (which he will obtain from examining photographic plates), emphasizing that this is a matter of fundamental importance. Noting that theoretically it is probable that the effect exists, stating that they could soon know more if Freundlich were able to conduct daylight observations on fixed stars close to the sun. Inquiring as to whether Freundlich has calculated how low the density of the Sun's atmosphere needs to be in order to see the fixed stars through it. Mentioning that a very light density causes a deflection of light, and further discussing the topic, referring to his own work. Asking Freundlich to keep Einstein up to date on his research.