Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

A massive, gravitationally bound system consisting of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter.

M_galaxy = v² r / G (includes Dark Matter) Solar Masses (M_☉) and Kiloparsecs (kpc)

A gravitationally bound structure containing hundreds to thousands of individual galaxies bound together by gravity.

M_total ~ 10¹⁴–10¹⁵ M_☉ (80% Dark Matter, 15% Intracluster Gas, 5% Stars) Megaparsecs (Mpc) & M_☉

Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

Albert Einstein's 1915 geometric theory of gravitation describing gravity not as an attractive force, but as the curvature of 4D spacetime…

G_μν + Λ g_μν = (8 π G / c⁴) T_μν Geometric Field Theory

Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

The path of shortest (or extreme) spacetime interval between two points in curved spacetime, representing the free-fall trajectory of…

(d²x^μ / dτ²) + Γ^μ_αβ (dx^α / dτ) (dx^β / dτ) = 0 Spacetime Path Trajectory

Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

The bending of light rays from a background astronomical source around a massive foreground object acting as a gravitational lens.

θ_deflection = (4 G M) / (c² b) Arcseconds (Angular Deflection)

Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

The phenomenon where time passes measurably slower in regions of lower gravitational potential (stronger gravity).

t_0 = t_f √(1 - 2 G M / (r c²)) Seconds (Relativistic Time Difference)

Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

Ripples in the curvature of spacetime that propagate outward as transverse waves at the speed of light, generated by accelerating…

h_ij = (2 G / (c⁴ r)) (d²I_ij / dt²), Strain h = ΔL / L ~ 10⁻²¹ Dimensionless Strain h (10⁻²¹)

Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

A massive gravitational anomaly in intergalactic space at the center of the Laniakea Supercluster pulling galaxies across hundreds of…

v_peculiar ~ 600 km/s towards Laniakea Supercluster center M_☉ (Gravitational Anomaly Mass)