Explore the intriguing world of cosmology in this 36-minute video from the World Science Festival's Big Ideas series. Delve into the current crisis in cosmology known as the Hubble Tension, where different approaches to measuring the universe's expansion rate yield conflicting results. Join renowned astronomer Wendy Freedman and moderator Brian Greene as they discuss the history of cosmic expansion, the contributions of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, and the role of Cepheid variables in these calculations. Learn about modern measurement techniques, including the use of microwave background radiation, and discover how the James Webb Space Telescope might impact our understanding of the expansion rate. Gain insights into the future of cosmology and the ongoing efforts to resolve the Hubble Tension in this thought-provoking conversation.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Participant introductions
- The History of Cosmic Expansion
- Henrietta Swan Leavitt's Contributions to Cosmology
- Cepheid variable
- How did Hubble calculate Expansion Rate?
- Modern Measurements of Expansion Rate
- Determining Expansion rate using Microwave Background Radiation
- Can We Resolve Hubble Tension?
- James Webb Space Telescope's Impact on Expansion Rate
- The Future of Cosmology
- Credits
Taught by
World Science Festival
