Geometrodynamics: The Nonlinear Dynamics of Curved Spacetime

Kip Thorne, Nobel Laureate in Physics

The Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics, California Institute of Technology

Sixty years ago, John Wheeler challenged his students and colleagues to  explore Geometrodynamics: the nonlinear dynamics of curved spacetime. How does the curvature of spacetime behave when roiled in a storm, like a storm at sea with crashing waves. We tried to explore this, and failed.  Success eluded us until two new tools became available: computer simulations, and gravitational wave observations. Kip will describe what these have begun to teach us, and he will offer a vision for the future of Geometrodynamics.