Harvard Science Book Talk: P.J.E. Peebles, "Cosmology’s Century: An Inside History of Our Modern Understanding of the Universe"

Date: 

Monday, June 29, 2020, 7:00pm

Location: 

Online Event, to register: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/pjepeebles/register

 

P. J. E. Peebles

Albert Einstein Professor of Science, Emeritus, Princeton University

>> REGISTER HERE

Nobel Prize–winning physicist P. J. E. Peebles presents the story of cosmology from Einstein to today. Modern cosmology began a century ago with Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity and his notion of a homogenous, philosophically satisfying cosmos. Cosmology's Century is the story of how generations of scientists built on these thoughts and many new measurements to arrive at a well-tested physical theory of the structure and evolution of our expanding universe.

In this landmark book, one of the world's most esteemed theoretical cosmologists offers an unparalleled personal perspective on how the field developed. P. J. E. Peebles was at the forefront of many of the greatest discoveries of the past century, making fundamental contributions to our understanding of the presence of helium and microwave radiation from the hot big bang, the measures of the distribution and motion of ordinary matter, and the new kind of dark matter that allows us to make sense of these results. He explores the major advances―some inspired by remarkable insights or perhaps just lucky guesses―as well as the wrong turns taken and the roads not explored. He shares recollections from major players in this story and provides a rare, inside look at how natural science is really done.

P. James Peebles - portrait and book cover

For more information and videos of Harvard Science Book Talks, see https://science.fas.harvard.edu/book-talks.