The Modern Eddington Experiment

Abstract In 1919 Einsteins theory of general relativity was verified for the first time by the Eddington-experiment. During a total solar eclipse, it was possible to measure the position of stars near the Sun and then compare these apparent positions to those of the stars at night months earlier. The results showed a gravitational deflection of about 1.75'' as light from distant stars passed near the Sun. Since then, a heap of new technology has been developed and improved on, making it possible for even amateur astronomers to carry out their own Eddington-experiment. In this poster I have examined digital images taken during the 2017 solar eclipse (as observed from the U.S.) and analysed the observations using the software package 'MEE2024 Stacker v0.4.5' by Andrew and Douglas Smith. Considering atmospheric diffraction and optical distortion it was possible to measure the predicted deflection angle of 1.75'' within an error under 10%. Acknowledgements For their continued help and support during the project: Andrew Smith, Cambridge University, UK; Douglas Smith, London, UK; William A. (Toby) Dittrich, Portland Community College, USA. This work was partially founded by IDA (Instrument Center for Danish Astrophysics).