Description
The Universe today is old, cold, low-density, and expanding. If we run
the expansion backwards, we will eventually find a Universe where all
the matter was in one place where the density and temperature are nearly
infinite. We call this hot, dense initial state of the Universe the Big
Bang. This lecture introduces the Big Bang model of the expanding
universe, and how the history of the Universe depends on two numbers:
the curretn expansion rate (H0), and the relative density of matter and
energy (Omega0). Combined with observations, these give us an estimate
of the age of the Universe of 14.0 +/- 1.4 Gyr. Recorded 2006 February 27 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