Did you know? 100 years ago, a solar eclipse made Albert Einstein famous

A century ago, a few venturous astromers pointed ir telescopes at skies, observing one of most famous solar eclipses that helped transform our understanding of universe forever.

event helped verify Albert Einstein's General ory of Relativity which underpins critical modern techlogies such as satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS).

ory is essential for correct operation of GPS systems, which in turn are relied on in many common applications including vehicle satellite navigation (SatNav) systems, wear forecasting, and disaster relief and emergency services.

"This observation t only confirmed a fundamental ory of nature, and enhanced our understanding of nature in a great way, but also showed genius of Einstein," Sudip Bhattacharyya, Associate Professor at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai told PTI.

"It was as if, he said something bizarre, me an outlandish ory, and nature was obliged to obey it! Bhattacharyya said.

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However, world h to wait deces before applications of such a blue skies result could be realised.

On May 29, 1919, Astromer Sir Arthur Eddington verified Einstein's ory by observing apparent deflection of stars from ir rmal positions during a solar eclipse.

This happens because, according to Einstein's ory, path of light is bent by gravity when it travels close to a massive object like our Sun.

This effect is measurable during a solar eclipse, when Sun's light is blocked by Moon.

At such times, light from background stars closest to edge of Sun is bent, and so se stars appear to be in slightly different positions compared to when y are observed at or times.

"A century ago astromers confirmed general ory of relativity -- in process transforming our understanding of universe forever," said Professor Mike Cruise, President of Royal Astromical Society.

" work of Einstein and Eddington is an amazing example of international collaboration in aftermath of first world war, and a visible demonstration of how science can overcome barriers in se turbulent times," Cruise said.

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result was based on measurements taken by two UK-led expeditions, one to island of Principe off west coast of Africa, and or to Sobral in Brazil.

Two sites were chosen to increase chances of success, and to ensure good conditions for viewing eclipse.

" experiment redefined way humanity evolved. It measured a very tiny effect which, however, was absolutely massive in its impact," Ayan Banerjee, associate professor at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata told PTI.

"This is both in terms of our understanding of nature, as well as techlogy we live on se days. seeds of Google maps in our phones were sown by Eddington a hundred years back," Banerjee said.

expeditions were jointly funded by Royal Astromical Society (RAS), Royal Society, and Royal Irish Acemy.

When results were anunced at a joint meeting of RAS and Royal Society in vember of same year, it me Einstein world famous within days.

"It is quite rare in history of science, that someone predicts so conspicuously unconventional, and it was confirmed by experiment or observation, that too in a matter of a few years, Bhattacharyya said.

"On 100th year of his prediction, gravitational waves, ar prediction of his ory, were discovered (in 2015). And on 100th year of confirmation his ory, a black hole was first directly observed (this year), he ted.

One hundred years later, scientists world over are celebrating to mark event.

Royal Astromical Society is hosting solar observing events at Burlington House in London this week, and library will display historical ims and documents related to 1919 eclipse.

Or celebratory activities will be taking place in UK, Portugal, Principe, Sobral and around world.