Description
We are not made of the same matter as most of the Universe! This
surprising conclusion, that the ordinary matter we are made of (protons,
neutrons, and electrons) constitute only 13% or so of the total matter
in the Universe, the rest being in the form of Dark Matter. Further,
this dark matter is only about 30% of the combined matter and energy
density of the Universe, the remaining 70% of which appears to be a form
of Dark Energy that fills the vacuum of space and acts in the present
day to accelerate the expansion of the Universe. This lecture will
summarize the state of our understanding of Dark Matter and Dark Energy,
and look at the questions remaining to be answered in this active area
of current research. Recorded 2006 March 7 in 1008 Evans Laboratory on
the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.
A new podcast, Astronomy 141, Life in the Universe, is available
for those interested in continuing an exploration of topics in
modern astronomy.
Published 12/06/09
Where are Lectures 1-4? This is a good question, and one I've gotten
from many listeners. Here's the answer. Recorded 2006 Nov 27 on the
Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.
Published 11/27/06