Was There A Big Bang?

Presented by Prof. Brian Keating of UC San Diego

Recent discoveries have sparked a heated debate among astronomers and physicists about the origins and age of the universe. Some now question whether the Big Bang happened once, many times, or even at all. Using new data from the James Webb Space Telescope, they argue that the standard model of cosmology—suggesting a universe 13.8 billion years old—may not hold up, and alternative theories are emerging. These are not “fringe” theorists — some proponents include Nobel Prize winners! Suggestions include the possibility that the universe isn’t expanding as we thought or that it could be much older than previously believed. In this talk, I will explore the evidence for and against these claims, discussing how the next generation of Cosmic Microwave Background experiments, such as the Simons Array and Simons Observatory, will help us better understand the true origin and nature of the cosmos.

5:30 PM: Reception

6:00 PM: Lecture

This event is free and open to the public. The local community, and middle and high school students, are strongly encouraged to attend.