General Relativity and Gravitation (journal)

General Relativity and Gravitation (journal)
Title	General Relativity and Gravitation
Discipline	Physics, Gravitation, General relativity
Language	English
Editor	Clifford M. Will
Publisher	Springer Science+Business Media
Country	International
History	1970–present
Frequency	Monthly
Openaccess	Hybrid
Impact	2.970
Impact-year	2023
ISSN	0001-7701
EISSN	1572-9532
Website	https://www.springer.com/journal/10714

General Relativity and Gravitation (journal). This is a leading monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to the fields of general relativity and gravitation. Published by Springer Science+Business Media, it serves as the official journal of the International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation. The journal publishes original research, review articles, and letters across the theoretical, experimental, and computational domains of gravitational physics.

History and background

The journal was established in 1970, emerging during a period of renewed interest in general relativity following experimental confirmations of Albert Einstein's theory. Its founding was closely tied to the activities of the International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation, which had been organizing the triennial GR (conference) since 1957. Early influential figures in its development included physicists like John Archibald Wheeler and Peter G. Bergmann. The journal's creation provided a dedicated forum for research that was previously scattered across broader publications like Physical Review and Nature (journal). Over the decades, it has chronicled major developments in the field, from the early studies of black holes and gravitational waves to modern research in quantum gravity and cosmology.

Scope and content

The journal covers a comprehensive range of topics within gravitational physics. Its core areas include the classical theory of general relativity, alternative theories of gravity, and the astrophysics of compact objects like neutron stars and black holes. A significant portion of its content is devoted to cosmology, including studies of the cosmic microwave background and dark energy. It also publishes extensively on gravitational wave detection, with strong links to experiments like LIGO and Virgo interferometer. The scope extends to mathematical aspects such as differential geometry and Cauchy problem, as well as frontier topics like loop quantum gravity, string theory, and numerical relativity. Regular features include research articles, rapid communications, and invited reviews from leaders in the field.

Abstracting and indexing

*General Relativity and Gravitation* is abstracted and indexed in numerous major scientific databases. These services include the Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, and INSPEC, which are essential resources for researchers at institutions like CERN and the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics. It is also covered by Academic Search, Astrophysics Data System, and Chemical Abstracts Service. The journal's inclusion in the Journal Citation Reports provides its annual impact factor, a key metric for academic assessment used by universities worldwide, including Harvard University and the University of Cambridge.

Editorial board and governance

The journal is overseen by an international editorial board comprising prominent theoretical and experimental physicists. The current Editor-in-Chief is Clifford M. Will, a renowned expert in gravitational theory from the University of Florida. The board includes leading scientists from major research centers such as the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Albert Einstein Institute, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Members have included notable figures like Abhay Ashtekar and Kip Thorne. Governance and editorial policy are conducted in close association with the International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation, ensuring the journal remains aligned with the global gravitational physics community.

Impact and recognition

The journal is widely regarded as a premier and authoritative publication in its field. It has consistently published landmark papers that have shaped modern gravitational research, contributing to foundational work recognized by awards like the Nobel Prize in Physics. Its impact factor, as reported by Clarivate Analytics, reflects its high citation rate within the literature of physics and astronomy. The journal is considered essential reading for researchers at facilities like the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration. Its role in disseminating critical findings has cemented its status as a cornerstone of the scholarly infrastructure for relativity.

Related publications

Within the landscape of physics journals, *General Relativity and Gravitation* is complemented by several other specialized publications. These include Classical and Quantum Gravity, published by IOP Publishing, and Living Reviews in Relativity, an open-access review journal. Broader context is provided by high-impact multidisciplinary journals such as Physical Review D and The Astrophysical Journal. The journal also maintains a close relationship with the proceedings of the GR (conference) and other major meetings like the Marcel Grossmann Meeting. Its publisher, Springer Science+Business Media, also produces related series like Lecture Notes in Physics.

Category:Physics journals Category:English-language journals Category:Publications established in 1970