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.
Join Professor of Physics John Ruhl on Monday, Sept. 8, to discuss Big Bang cosmology, Cosmic Inflation, the challenges of making such ambitious measurements of extremely small signals and why our own research team travels to the Antarctic in efforts to pursue them.
Science Café Cleveland is in the Tasting Room at Great Lakes Brewing Co., 2701 Carroll Ave., Cleveland. Doors will be open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The discussion will begin around 7 p.m. The Tasting Room will also host a limited menu before and during the event. Those interested in attending are advised to arrive early, as some cafes have reached capacity. A chairlift is available by request.
The Case Western Reserve chapter of Sigma Xi, WCPN ideastream and the Great Lakes Brewing Co. sponsor Science Café Cleveland.
Learn more at: case.edu/affil/sigmaxi/.