How Dark Is Space?

Explore the darkness of space in this captivating lecture by Dr. Tod Lauer from NSF's NOIRLab. Delve into the intriguing question of whether space is truly, completely dark. Learn about the challenges of observing faint cosmic glows from within the inner Solar System and discover how NASA's New Horizons space probe, positioned over 50 times further from the Sun than Earth, provides a unique vantage point for studying the universe's background light. Uncover evidence of an unknown source of light from the universe itself through an innovative experiment using this perfectly positioned camera. Gain insights into various astronomical concepts, including the James Webb Space Telescope, dark matter, Einstein's paradox, and the Ultra Deep Field. Examine the Cosmic Optical Background, zodiacal light, and the role of interplanetary dust in our observations. This comprehensive talk, hosted by Frank Summers from the Space Telescope Science Institute, offers a fascinating journey through the depths of cosmic darkness and the quest to understand the true nature of our universe.