The University of Glasgow has celebrated its links with Albert Einstein at a special tree-planting ceremony.
The famous scientist visited the city exactly 90 years ago, and wonderful sepia photos show him attending the honorary graduation in recognition of his contribution to physics.
To mark that event, a cutting taken from an apple tree at Einstein’s former summer home in Germany has been planted beside the Kelvin Building on the West End campus, where the School of Physics & Astronomy is based.
The cutting from Albert Einstein’s tree was donated by John Hancox, a graduate of the University’s School of Chemistry who runs the Glasgow-based social enterprise Scottish Fruit Trees.
The cutting's transfer was arranged by the Einstein Forum in Berlin and the James Clark Maxwell Foundation.
Waves
Researchers from the University of Glasgow’s Institute for Gravitational Research (IGR) were part of the international collaboration which discovered the first direct evidence of gravitational waves in 2015, finally confirming Einstein’s theory a century later.
Glasgow scientists developed the mirror suspension technology at the heart of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) which made the detection possible.
Professor Sheila Rowan, director of the Institute for Gravitational Research, said: “Albert Einstein’s theories laid the foundations for much of modern physics, and we’re proud that our predecessors at the University of Glasgow had the opportunity to present him with an honorary degree in recognition of his work.
“A century later, gravitational wave astronomy has given us a whole new way of observing the universe, helping us to detect the previously undetectable, and Glasgow researchers are important parts of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA network.
“We’re delighted to be able to plant a tree from Einstein’s garden here at the University today.
“It’s inspiring to think that a tree from Einstein’s garden will be growing on campus at the same time that our understanding of the universe grows through gravitational wave astronomy.”
Albert Einstein’s theories laid the foundations for much of modern physics, and we’re proud that our predecessors at the University of Glasgow had the opportunity to present him with an honorary degree in recognition of his work.
Professor Sheila Rowan
The original tree is on the grounds of Einstein’s home in Caputh, Germany, where he spent time before fleeing the Nazis.
John Hancox said: “As a science graduate of the University of Glasgow, it’s lovely to be able to supply this tree in part to contribute back to the University.
“There is a personal connection too, as my Mum was from Berlin and in my mind this is also a quiet memorial to her as well.
“The Holsteiner cox is a nice eating apple and it would be nice to think that the tree might inspire the next generation of scientists in making significant advances.
“As anyone knows the story of how Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity can tell you, apples have played a key role in the story of physics before now and they might once again.”
Einstein visited the University in June 1933. On June 20, he delivered a lecture on general relativity and his work.
The next day, he was officially presented with an honorary LL.D at the University’s graduation ceremony.
LIGO, the most sensitive scientific equipment ever developed, is capable of detecting the very faint traces of gravitational waves as they pass through the Earth.
Astronomical
The suspensions help hold 40kg mirrors completely still so lasers bounced from their surfaces can measure the tiny displacement the gravitational waves cause – a movement of around 1/10,000th the width of a proton.
The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA network of gravitational wave detectors began its fourth observing run on May 24th.
Glasgow researchers continue to play key roles in the data processing and analysis which underpins each detection, and will contribute to future upgrades which aim to make the detectors even more sensitive.
The network expects to detect signals from hundreds of new astronomical events during its 18-month run.
