How astronomers use the oldest light to weigh the entire universe
In short: By analyzing the cosmic microwave background—the luminous echo of the Big Bang—scientists can determine the geometry of space and the mass of the cosmos. This lecture explores the physics behind these measurements and the complexities of our cosmic origins.
In this Gresham College lecture, Roberto Trotta explains how exquisitely precise measurements of the cosmic microwave background allow astronomers to achieve the seemingly impossible task of weighing the universe. This light represents the oldest light in existence, serving as a relic of the primordial Big Bang.
Trotta, a Professor of Astrostatistics at Imperial College London, examines the physics of this ancient radiation and the inherent challenges in understanding the origins of our universe.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Weighing the Universe - Roberto Trotta
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