Instant Expert: Cosmology at the cutting-edge
Saturday 15th March 2025, 10am - 5pm | Congress Centre, 28 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS
With the increasing power of telescopes and computers, cosmologists today are pushing the boundaries of human knowledge about the universe, seeing further and simulating more accurately that ever before. But what do we truly understand about the cosmos, and what mysteries still lie hidden in the depths of space?
From the nature of dark matter and dark energy to the origins of the universe itself, scientists are grappling with questions that challenge our fundamental understanding of reality.
But how close are we to unravelling the cosmos' greatest secrets? Are we on the verge of a scientific revolution that will redefine our place in the universe? And what does the future hold for the exploration of space?
Join six world-leading experts from astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology as they reveal the latest research about our universe.
At this Instant Expert, you’ll:
· Learn about the most recent breakthroughs in cosmology and the questions they raise.
· Discover how scientists are using cutting-edge technology such as the James Webb Space Telescope, to explore the universe.
· Explore cosmic problems such as dark matter, cosmic neutrinos and the strange implications of general relativity.
· Gain insights into the future of cosmology and its potential impact on humanity.
Talks and speakers:
Exploring the Universe with the first light
Erminia Calabrese, Professor of Astronomy and the Director of Research, Cardiff University
A relic light, travelling since ~380,000 years after the Big Bang and crossing the whole observable Universe, is our primary source of information about how the Universe began, what it is made of, and how the cosmic structures that we see in the night sky today came to be. We call it the Cosmic Microwave Background (or CMB). Over the last three decades multiple experimental campaigns have produced incredibly accurate measurements of the statistical properties of the CMB. These, paired up with the development of very accurate theory predictions, have allowed us to search for relic signatures of the physical processes that took place at the origin of the Universe and to determine precisely the abundances of the main Universe constituents which govern its evolution on large scales. Ultimately, this has led to the establishment of our standard model of cosmology. While the parameters of this model have been constrained to sub-percent precision, many fundamental questions about the Universe are still unanswered. In the near future, a series of ground-based and satellite experiments promise to deliver new breakthroughs in cosmology and fundamental physics via precise measurements of the CMB polarization signal. In this talk I will give a snapshot of where we are in CMB cosmology, how we got here and where we are heading next. I will cover in particular the UK flagship programmes: the Simons Observatory experiment and the LiteBIRD satellite mission.
Searching for the Invisible Universe
Matthew Bothwell, Public Astronomer, University of Cambridge
Over the past 50 years, astronomers have become increasingly certain that most of the Universe is made up of a mysterious invisible substance that we do not properly understand. This stuff — known as ‘Dark Matter’ — is thought to play an integral role in the evolution of the Universe, and is ultimately responsible for our existence here on Earth. But despite its importance, Dark Matter has never actually been detected! I lay out the observational evidence that has led scientists to believe something which — on the surface — seems so incredibly bizarre, and talk a little about our efforts to detect this strange invisible matter.
What will gravitational waves teach us about fundamental physics?
Katy Clough, Research Fellow, Queen Mary University of London
In the next decade, gravitational wave detectors will become much more powerful, allowing us to explore new aspects of physics, such as changes in gravity, dark matter, and unknown sources. To understand the data from these detectors, we need accurate computer models. Join computational cosmologist Katy Clough, as she explains how simulations help us interpret the data and what we can learn from them.
JWST and the early Universe
Roberto Maiolino, Professor of Experimental Astrophysics, University of Cambridge
Gravity and gravitational waves
Tessa Baker, Cosmologist, University of Portsmouth
One more exciting talk to be announced soon...
Who should attend?
This masterclass is designed for everyone who wants to learn about the most recent breakthroughs in cosmology and the questions they raise
- Become an expert in one day
- Informal set-up, meet like minded people
- Open your mind, be inspired
- Unique chance to ask your burning questions to our experts
What's included in your ticket:
In-depth and engaging talks from six leading scientists
Ask-an-expert Question Time session
Your chance to meet our six speakers and New Scientist host
Exclusive on-the-day New Scientist subscription deal, book and merchandise offers
Booking information:
The event will be held at the Congress Centre, 28 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS
Doors will open at 9:15am, with talks commencing at 10am sharp. The event will finish at 5pm.
We require the name of each person attending - please ensure this is provided at the time of booking. If you need to change the name of an attendee, please notify us as soon as possible: live@newscientist.com
Eventbrite will email you your ticket(s) immediately after purchase. Please remember to bring your ticket(s) with you as you'll need it to gain entry. We can scan tickets from a print out, or off the screen of a phone / tablet / smartwatch.
The schedule / exact running order for the day will be confirmed closer to the event, and will be emailed to all ticket holders.
Lunch will NOT be provided at this event. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food, or purchase lunch at one of the many establishments in the surrounding area.
Should you require details about disabled access, please contact us at: live@newscientist.com
Tickets are non-transferable to any other New Scientist event.
All tickets are non-refundable.
New Scientist reserves the right to alter the event and its line-up, or cancel the event. In the unlikely event of cancellation, all tickets will be fully refunded. New Scientist Ltd will not be liable for any additional expenses incurred by ticket holders in relation to the event.
Tickets are subject to availability and are only available in advance through Eventbrite.