Before Einstein, Newton's view of spacetime was absolute and flat, with gravity seen as a mysterious force acting at a distance. Einstein's theory of general relativity revolutionized this picture. He proposed that matter and energy warp the spacetime structure around them, and gravity is the natural manifestation of objects moving along these warped spacetime "geodesics." Imagine spacetime as a giant, elastic membrane; a heavy sphere (like the sun) placed on it will create a depression, and smaller spheres (like planets) will move along the "slope" of this depression—this is the geometric description of gravity. Understanding spacetime curvature is fundamental to understanding core concepts in modern cosmology such as black holes, gravitational lensing, and even the expansion of the universe. Our interactive exhibit, "Einstein's View of Spacetime," transforms this most imaginative physical theory into a visual and interactive experience on a meticulously designed simulation platform.
