COLLOQUIUM 2025
Cosmology
| Speaker | Distinguished Professor of Astronomy Brian Schmidt, Australian National University |
| Date/Time | Thursday, 9 Jan, 2PM |
| Location | Lecture Theatre 31 |
| Moderator | Asst/Prof Alvin Chua |
| Registration link | https://forms.office.com/r/XSkJvbDyxH |
Abstract
Over the last 100 years astronomers have developed a comprehensive understanding of our Universe governed by the theory of General Relativity, with its composition, size, density, shape, and age well constrained by measurements. In this colloquium I will discuss the standard model of cosmology and the range of measurements that support our current understanding. I will also point towards an emerging discrepancy in our current measurements, and some new mysteries revealed by observations with our current generation of telescopes.
Biography
Brian Schmidt is Distinguished Professor of Astronomy at the Australian National University. For his work on the accelerating universe, Brian Schmidt was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics, jointly with Adam Riess and Saul Perlmutter. Schmidt has worked across many areas of Astronomy including supernovae, gamma ray Bursts, gravitational wave transients, exo-planets, and metal poor stars. Receiving his PhD from Harvard University in 1993, Schmidt joined the staff of the Australian National University in 1995. He served as the 12th Vice Chancellor and President of the Australia National University from 2016-2023, and is Chair of Singapore’s Academic Research Council.
