Predictions by the scientist Einstein, which have recently been partially confirmed by astronomers, have caused tremendous interest in scientific circles. Although the new theory is in itself practically inexplicable to the average man, the main consequences of it are simple enough for the layman to understand.

The theory conflicts in several points with many hitherto well-established physical laws. Among its revolutionary statements it maintains that light rays do not travel in an absolutely straight line and further that light is deflected when passing the sun. Einstein also claims that we are not living in a Euclidian space and that many geometric laws are false.

On May 29th of this year there occurred a solar eclipse in Europe and pictures were taken of certain stars then seen to be near the sun. It was found by measurement that these stars were represented as being farther apart than they normally should be. That is, the rays of light had been bent while passing the sun. Einstein had predicted that this bend would be one and seven tenths seconds and this is precisely what was found to be true.

If a bullet were shot past the sun and at the same distance away from it as the light-rays, the force of gravitation of the sun would deflect it only eight-tenths of a second. Something, therefore, deflected the light rays more than twice as much as gravity could bend them. This is all explained in the theory itself, but it requires the use of a fourth dimension.

Theory of Shift in Spectrum Unproved.

In his theory Einstein also stated that in a spectrum the solar lines would be shifted toward the red, but as no such shift has yet been found many scientists are inclined to doubt the truth of the whole theory. The inaccuracy of all instruments, however, may well be the cause of this failure and the first two proofs considered sufficient evidence of the correctness of the theory.

According to his theory it is true that the three angles of a triangle are not equal to two right angles and the circumference of a circle is not exactly twice the radius times Pi. However, in order to prove these facts it is necessary again to use a fourth dimension in time and all computations on these theories must take time into account.

What Lies Beyond the End?

Euclid's laws suffered a somewhat severe shock when scientists stated that, according to this theory, there is no infinity. To the natural question of "What lies beyond the end?" the scientists answer that space so nearly approaches infinity that we would not be able to determine the difference.

These changes will in no way affect our modern geometry for many years to come as they are so minute that it would be impossible for us to measure the difference between the old laws and the new.

It is to the advantage of the theory that it employs no new constants and that it does not depend on any assumptions hitherto unheard of. The only two constants that are used are the now well recognized ones of Newton's Law of Gravitation and the velocity of light. It has, therefore, a firm foundation and skeptical scientists will have no easy task in their attempt to undermine it.