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General Relativity and Gravitation - Golden Oldies

Republications of important historic papers in general relativity

The Golden Oldies (this opens in a new tab) series of the journal General Relativity and Gravitation reprints important papers in general relativity theory that were published 30 or more years ago and are either hard to get hold of, or were originally printed in a language other than English. They play a key part in making these important papers readily accessible today, in the language that has now become the lingua franca of scientific publication. The value of this reprinting is enhanced by an accompanying editorial note for each paper, which briefly explains the significance of the work and where it has subsequently led to, together with a biographical note about the author or authors.



Golden Oldies Criteria & Procedures: 
Ashtekar, A., Maartens, R. & MacCallum, M.A.H. Gen Relativ Gravit (2017) 49: 36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-017-2201-3 (this opens in a new tab)

Golden Oldies Series Editor:
Malcolm MacCallum

Golden Oldies Advisory Board (2020-):
Malcolm MacCallum, Pablo Laguna (EiC), Emanuele Berti, David Blair, Thibault Damour, Pedro G. Ferreira, Gary W. Gibbons, Roberto Lalli, and Susan Scott


2022

Electromagnetically coupled broadband gravitational antenna (this opens in a new tab)
by Rainer Weiss (1972)

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by David H. Shoemaker

Purely infinitesimal geometry (this opens in a new tab) (Reine Infinitesimalgeometrie) 
by Hermann Weyl (1918) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Graham S. Hall

On the transition from wave optics to geometric optics in general relativity (this opens in a new tab) (Zum Übergang von der Wellenoptik zur geometrischen Optik in der allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie) 
by Jürgen Ehlers (1967) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Volker Perlick 

Existence theorem for the Einsteinian gravitational field equations in the non-analytic case (this opens in a new tab) (Théorème d’existence pour les équations de la gravitation einsteinienne dans le cas non analytique) 
by Yvonne Fourès-Bruhat (1950) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Demetrios Christodoulou & Richard Kerner 

2021

A threedimensional formulation of the Bianchi identities for vacuum gravitational fields (this opens in a new tab) 
by Manfred Trümper (1964) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by George F.R. Ellis & Malcolm A. H. MacCallum

2019

Dirac electron in the gravitational field I (this opens in a new tab) (Diracsches Elektron im Schwerefeld I) 
by Erwin Schrödinger (1932) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Bernard S. Kay

• Editorial note addendum (this opens in a new tab) by Gary W. Gibbons & Bernard S. Kay

On the Newtonian limit of Einstein’s theory of gravitation (this opens in a new tab) (Über den Newtonschen Grenzwert der Einsteinschen Gravitationstheorie) 
by Jürgen Ehlers (1981) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Thomas Buchert & Thomas Mädler

The theoretical significance of experimental relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Robert H. Dicke (1964) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by P. J. E. Peebles

2018

Propagators, commutators and anti-commutators in general relativity (this opens in a new tab) (Propagateurs, commutateurs et anticommutateurs en relativité générale)
by André Lichnerowicz (1964) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Giampiero Esposito

Mean density of radiation in the Metagalaxy and certain problems in relativistic cosmology (this opens in a new tab) (Средняя плотность излучения в Метагалактике и некоторые вопросы релятивистской космологии)
by Andrei G. Doroshkevich and Igor D. Novikov (1964) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Ruth Durrer

2017

On the Gravitational Stability of the Expanding Universe (this opens in a new tab) (О гравитационной устойчивости расширяющегося мира)
by E. Lifshitz (1946) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by George F. R. Ellis

2016

Contributions to the Theory of Gravitational Radiation Fields. Exact Solutions of the Field Equations of the General Theory of Relativity V (this opens in a new tab) (Beiträge zur Theorie der Gravitations-Strahlungsfelder. Strenge Lösungen der Feldgleichungen der Allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie V)
by Wolfgang Kundt and Manfred Trümper (1962) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Malcolm A. H. MacCallum

2015

Contributions to Einstein's Theory of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab) (Beiträge zur Einsteinschen Gravitationstheorie)
by Ludwig Flamm (1916) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Gary W. Gibbons

2014

Geometrodynamics in the Null Case. Exact Solutions of the Field Equations of the General Theory of Relativity III (this opens in a new tab) (Geometrodynamik im Nullfall, Strenge Lösungen der Feldgleichungen der Allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie III)
by Pascual Jordan and Wolfgang Kundt (1961) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Charles W. Misner

2013

Contributions to the Theory of Pure Gravitational Radiation. Exact Solutions of the Field Equations of the General Theory of Relativity II (this opens in a new tab) (Beiträge zur Theorie der reinen Gravitationsstrahlung, Strenge Lösungen der Feldgleichungen der Allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie II)
by Pascual Jordan, Jürgen Ehlers and Rainer K. Sachs (1961) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Malcolm A. H. MacCallum & Wolfgang Kundt

A Homogeneous Universe of Constant Mass and Increasing Radius Accounting for the Radial Velocity of Extra-Galactic Nebulae (this opens in a new tab) (Un univers homogène de masse constante et de rayon croissant, rendant compte de la vitesse radiale des nébuleuses extra-galactiques)
by Georges Lemaître (1927) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Jean-Pierre Luminet

2012

On the Formal Analogy between the Basic Electromagnetic Equations and Einstein's Gravity Equations in First Approximation (this opens in a new tab) (Über die Formale Analogie zwischen den Elektromagnetischen Grundgleichungen und den Einsteinschen Gravitationsgleichungen Erster Näherung)
by Hans Thirring (1918) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Herbert Pfister

Relativistic Cosmology (this opens in a new tab)
by H. P. Robertson (1933) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by George Ellis

The Geometry of Free Fall and Light Propagation (this opens in a new tab)
by Jürgen Ehlers, Felix A. E. Pirani and Alfred Schild (1972) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Andrzej Trautman

New Solutions of the Einstein Field Equations. B. Explicit Determination of Static, Axially Symmetric Fields. With a Supplement on the Static Two-Body Problem (this opens in a new tab) (Neue Lösungen der Einsteinschen Gravitationsgleichungen. B. Explicite Aufstellung statischer axialsymmetrischer Felder. Mit einem Zusatz über das statische Zweikörperproblem)
by Rudolf Bach and Hermann Weyl (1922) 

5. Comment on the Axially Symmetric Solutions to Einstein's Equations of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab) (5. Bemerkung über die axialsymmetrischen Lösungen der Einsteinschen Gravitationsgleichungen)
by Herman Weyl (1919) 

3. On the Theory of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab) (3. Zur Gravitationstheorie)
by Herman Weyl (1917) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Gernot Neugebauer, David Petroff & Bahram Mashhoon

2011

 Quantum Theory of Weak Gravitational Fields (this opens in a new tab) (Quantentheorie schwacher Gravitationsfelder)
by Matvei Bronstein (1936) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by S. Deser & A. Starobinsky

Large Number Coincidences and the Anthropic Principle in Cosmology (this opens in a new tab)
by Brandon Carter (1974) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by George F. R. Ellis

The Beginning of the World from the Point of View of Quantum Theory (this opens in a new tab)
by Georges Lemaître (1931) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Jean-Pierre Luminet

Einsteinian ds² in Newtonian Fields. IX: The Analog of the Logarithmic Potential (this opens in a new tab) (ds² einsteiniana in campi newtoniani. IX: l’analogo del potenziale logaritmico)
by Tullio Levi-Civita (1919)

The Physical Reality of Some Normal Spaces of Bianchi (this opens in a new tab) (Realtá fisica di alcuni spazi normali del Bianchi)
by Tullio Levi-Civita (1917) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Malcolm A. H. MacCallum

2010

Conformal Treatment of Infinity (this opens in a new tab)
by Roger Penrose (1964) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Helmut Friedrich

Observations in Cosmology (this opens in a new tab)
by Jerome Kristian and Rainer K. Sachs (1966) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by George F. R. Ellis

On Hamilton's Canonical Equations (this opens in a new tab) (Sur les équations canoniques de Hamilton)
by Władysław Ślebodziński (1931) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Andrzej Trautman

On the Initial Value Problem of the Equations of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab)
by Karl Stellmacher (1938)

New Mechanics of Material Systems (this opens in a new tab) (Neue Mechanik materieller Systeme)
by Myron Mathisson (1937)

The Mechanics of Matter Particles in General Relativity (this opens in a new tab) (Die Mechanik des Materieteilchens in der allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie)
by Myron Mathisson (1931)

Black Hole Equilibrium States, Part II General Theory of Stationary Black Hole States (this opens in a new tab)
by Brandon Carter (1973)

2009

Black Hole Equilibrium States, Part I Analytic and Geometric Properties of the Kerr Solutions (this opens in a new tab)
by Brandon Carter (1973)

A New Class of Vacuum Solutions of the Einstein Field Equations (this opens in a new tab)
by R. P. Kerr and A. Schild (1965)

Exact Solutions of the Field Equations of the General Theory of Relativity (this opens in a new tab) (Strenge Lösungen der Feldgleichungen der Allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie)
by Pascual Jordan, Jürgen Ehlers and Wolfgang Kundt (1960)

On the General Relativity Theory (this opens in a new tab) (Zur allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie)
by Hermann Weyl (1923)

On the Physical Significance of the Riemann Tensor (this opens in a new tab)
by Felix A. E. Pirani (1956)

On the Deviation of Geodesics and Null Geodesics, Particularly in Relation to the Properties of Spaces of Constant Curvature and Indefinite Line-Element (this opens in a new tab)
by John Lighton Synge (1934)

Relativistic Cosmology (this opens in a new tab)
by George F. R. Ellis (1971)

A Theorem on Petrov Types (this opens in a new tab)
by Joshua N. Goldberg and Rainer K. Sachs (1962)

2008

The Redshift of Extragalactic Nebulae (this opens in a new tab)
by Fritz Zwicky (1933)

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Jürgen Ehlers

The Dynamics of General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Richard Arnowitt, Stanley Deser and Charles W. Misner (1962)

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Jorge Pullin

The Cosmological Constant and the Theory of Elementary Particles (this opens in a new tab) (Космологическая постоянная и теория элементарных частиц) by Yakov Borisovich Zeldovich (1968)

Geometrical Theorems on Einstein's Cosmological Equations (this opens in a new tab)
by Edward Kasner (1921)

2007

Perturbations of a Cosmological Model and Angular Variations of the Microwave Background (this opens in a new tab)
by R. K. Sachs and A. M. Wolfe (1967)

LX. On the Definition of Distance in General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by I. M. H. Etherington (1933)

2005

On the General Spherically Symmetric Solutions of Einstein's Gravitational Equations in Vacuo (this opens in a new tab) (Über die allgemeinen kugelsymmetrischen Lösungen der Einsteinschen Gravitationsgleichungen im Vakuum)
by J. T. Jebsen (1921)

2004

Empty Space-Times Admitting a Three Parameter Group of Motions (this opens in a new tab)
by A. H. Taub (1951)

2003

On the Gravitational Field of a Mass Point According to Einstein's Theory (this opens in a new tab) (Über das Gravitationsfeld eines Massenpunktes nach der Einsteinschen Theorie)
by K. Schwarzschild (1916) 

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by S. Antoci and D.-E. Liebscher

The Bianchi Classification in the Schücking-Behr Approach (this opens in a new tab)
Based on a seminar by
Engelbert Schücking (1957)
by Wolfgang Kundt

2002

Relativistic Hydrodynamics (this opens in a new tab)
by John Lighton Synge (1937)

On the Singularities of a Riemannian Manifold (this opens in a new tab)
by György Szekeres (1960)

The Field of a Single Centre in Einstein's Theory of Gravitation, and the Motion of a Particle in that Field (this opens in a new tab)
by Johannes Droste (1917)

Gravitational Collapse: the Role of General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Roger Penrose (1969)

Lectures on General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Andrzej Trautman (1958)

Visual Horizons in World Models (this opens in a new tab)
by Wolfgang Rindler (1956)

2001

R- and T-Regions in a Spacetime with a Spherically Symmetric Space (this opens in a new tab)
by Igor D. Novikov (1964)

On the Three-Dimensional Spaces which Admit a Continuous Group of Motions (this opens in a new tab)
by Luigi Bianchi (1898)

Spherically Symmetric T-Models in the General Theory of Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Vladimir Afanasjevich Ruban (1969)

T-Models of "Sphere" in General Relativity Theory (this opens in a new tab)
by Vladimir Afanasjevich Ruban (1968)

2000

Radiation States and the Problem of Energy in General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Louis Bel (1962)

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by J. M. M. Senovilla 

Newtonian Universes and the Curvature of Space (this opens in a new tab)
by William Hunter McCrea and Edward Arthur Milne (1934)

A Newtonian Expanding Universe (this opens in a new tab)
by Edward Arthur Milne (1934)

The Classification of Spaces Defining Gravitational Fields (this opens in a new tab)
by Aleksey Zinovjevitch Petrov (1954)

Rotating Universes in General Relativity Theory (this opens in a new tab)
by Kurt Gödel (1952)

An Example of a New Type of Cosmological Solutions of Einstein's Field Equations of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab) 
by Kurt Gödel (1949)

Relativistic Cosmology. I (this opens in a new tab)
by Amalkumar Raychaudhuri (1955)

Vacuum Quantum Fluctuations in Curved Space and the Theory of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab)
by Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov (1967)

1999

On the Possibility of a World with Constant Negative Curvature of Space (this opens in a new tab) (Über die Möglichkeit einer Welt mit konstanter negativer Krümmung des Raumes)
by Aleksandr Friedmann (1924)

On the Curvature of Space (this opens in a new tab) (Über die Krümmung des Raumes)
by Aleksandr Friedman (1922)

• Editorial note (this opens in a new tab) by Andrzej Krasiński & George F. R. Ellis

Spherically Symmetrical Models in General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Hermann Bondi (1947)

On a Class of Solutions of the Gravitation Equations of Relativity (this opens in a new tab) (Über eine Klasse von Lösungen der Gravitationsgleichungen der Relativität)
by B. Datt (1938)

On a New Cosmological Solution of Einstein's Field Equations of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab)
by Hidekazu Nariai (1951)

On Some Static Solutions of Einstein's Gravitational Field Equations in a spherically symmetric case (this opens in a new tab)
by Hidekazu Nariai (1950)

'Newtonian' Time in General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Prahalad Chunilal Vaidya (1953)

The Gravitational Field of a Radiating Star (this opens in a new tab)
by Prahalad Chunilal Vaidya (1951)

The External Field of a Radiating Star in General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Prahalad Chunilal Vaidya (1943)

1998

Some Relativistic Cosmological Models (this opens in a new tab)
by Ronald Kantowski (1966)

Isotropic Space with Discrete Gravitational-Field Sources. On the Theory of a Nonhomogeneous Isotropic Universe (this opens in a new tab)
by Mikhail Fedorovich Shirokov and Iosif Zalmanovich Fisher (1963)

The Formation of the Nebulae (this opens in a new tab)
by William B. Bonnor (1956)

A Note on Some General Solutions of the Einstein Field Equations in a Spherically Symmetric World (this opens in a new tab)
by Paul Kustaanheimo and Bertil Qvist (1948)

Observable Relations in Relativistic Cosmology. II (this opens in a new tab)
by William Hunter McCrea (1939)

1997

On the Stability of Cosmological Models (this opens in a new tab)
by N. R. Sen (1934)

Effect of Inhomogeneity on Cosmological Models (this opens in a new tab)
by Richard C. Tolman (1934)

The Expanding Universe (this opens in a new tab) (L'Univers en expansion)
by the Abbé Georges Lemaître (1933)

On a Stationary Cosmology in the Sense of Einstein's Theory of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab) (Über eine stationäre Kosmologie im Sinne der Einsteinschen Gravitationstheorie)
by Kornel Lanczos (1924)

1993

Contributions to the Relativistic Mechanics of Continuous Media (this opens in a new tab) (Beiträge zur relativistischen Mechanik kontinuierlicher Medien)
by Jürgen Ehlers (1961)

1984

On the Influence of the Proper Rotation of Central Bodies on the Motions of Planets and Moons According to Einstein's Theory of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab) (Über den Einfluß der Eigenrotation der Zentralkörper auf die Bewegung der Planeten und Monde nach der Einsteinschen Gravitationstheorie)
by Josef Lense and Hans Thirring (1918)

Correction to My Paper: "On the Effect of Rotating Distant Masses in Einstein's Theory of Gravitation" (this opens in a new tab) (Berichtigung zu Meiner Arbeit: "Über die Wirkung Rotierender Massen in der Einsteinschen Gravitationstheorie")
by Hans Thirring (1921)

On the Effect of Rotating Distant Masses in Einstein's Theory of Gravitation (this opens in a new tab) (Über die Wirkung rotierender ferner Massen in der Einsteinschen Gravitationstheorie)
by Hans Thirring (1918)

1980

Null Hypersurface Initial Data for Classical Fields of Arbitrary Spin and for General Relativity (this opens in a new tab)
by Roger Penrose (1963)


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