The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time
1973/05/10 by S. W. Hawking, George Ellis · 200 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Algebraic and Geometric Analysis #Astronomy #Black hole (networking) #Classical mechanics #Computer science #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Curvature #Destiny (ISS module) #Einstein #General relativity #Geometry #Gravitation #Gravitational collapse #Gravitational singularity #Mathematics #Philosophy #Physics #Quantum mechanics #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #Space (punctuation) #Space time #Spacetime #Theoretical physics #Theory of relativity
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511524646
openalex publication_date 1973/05/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
Abstract
Einstein's General Theory of Relativity leads to two remarkable predictions: first, that the ultimate destiny of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse and to disappear from view, leaving behind a 'black hole' in space; and secondly, that there will exist singularities in space-time itself. These singularities are places where space-time begins or ends, and the presently known laws of physics break down. They will occur inside black holes, and in the past are what might be construed as the beginning of the universe. To show how these predictions arise, the authors discuss the General Theory of Relativity in the large. Starting with a precise formulation of the theory and an account of the necessary background of differential geometry, the significance of space-time curvature is discussed and the global properties of a number of exact solutions of Einstein's field equations are examined. The theory of the causal structure of a general space-time is developed, and is used to study black holes and to prove a number of theorems establishing the inevitability of singualarities under certain conditions. A discussion of the Cauchy problem for General Relativity is also included in this 1973 book.
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