Science Café Cleveland presents
The Evidence for Big Bang Inflation
SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
FEATURING: John Ruhl
Professor, Physics Department, Case Western Reserve University
EVENT INFORMATION:
The idea behind Cosmic Inflation is that the universe underwent a very early period of "hyperexpansion". This idea provides the only explanation to date of several basic things about the universe that otherwise we might have to attribute to pure coincidence. In March of this year, the Bicep2 team announced to great fanfare the discovery of a signal in the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation that supposedly told us some very important things about Cosmic Inflation. Subsequent analysis has shown that their signal may be due to galactic dust rather than Cosmic Inflation; only time (and more data) will tell. We'll discuss Big Bang cosmology, Cosmic Inflation, the challenges of making such ambitious measurements of extremely small signals, and why his own research team travels to the Antarctic in our efforts to pursue them.
ARTICLES/LINKS OF INFORMATION:
On the Bicep2 results:
Jonathan Amos. "Cosmic inflation: Confidence lowered for Big Bang signal." BBC News Science & Improvement, June 19, 2014.
On introductory inflation:
"Embellishments on the Big Bang"
"Cosmic Inflation and Big Bang Ripples." Scientific American, May 17, 2014.
Ron Cowen. "No Evidence for or against gravitational waves." nature, May 29, 2014.
South Pole Telescope Website:
John Ruhl Physics and other fun stuff Website:
EVENT DETAILS:
WHERE:
The Tasting Room at Great Lakes Brewing Company
2701 Carroll Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
WHEN:
September 8, 2014
Doors open 5:30 - 9:30 PM (Limited menu available for purchase before and during the event. Not to mention beer! Last call is at 8:45 PM) Discussion starts around 7:00 p.m.
*Please Note* A few of our cafes have approached capacity and/or standing room only. If you want to be 100% sure to get in and get a good seat, you might want to arrive a bit early.
WHO: Sponsored by Case Western Reserve University chapter of Sigma Xi, WCPN ideastream, and Great Lakes Brewing Company
Click here to download a pdf flyer of the event
