Ask a Scientist [topic: dark matter & energy] December 12, 2007

Topic: The Dark Side of the Universe

A scientific revolution in our understanding of the universe is under way. In the last decade or so, cosmology has become an experimental science that has led to two mysterious observations: about a quarter of the universe is "dark matter," which gravitationally attracts but is otherwise invisible, and about two-thirds is "dark energy," which causes space itself to expand at an ever-increasing rate. That means only a small fraction of the energy in the universe is due to matter that we understand! Pretty spooky. In tonight's presentation, Stanford physics professor Patricia Burchat will guide us in exploring the evidence for dark matter and dark energy, and the experiments being developed to investigate their fundamental nature.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Ask a Scientist is an informative, entertaining, casual science lecture series, held at a San Francisco cafe. Each event features a speaker on a current topic, a short presentation, and the opportunity to ask all those burning questions that have been keeping you up at night. No tests, grades, or pressure…just food, drinks, socializing, and conversation about the universe’s most fascinating mysteries.

Official Website: http://www.askascientistSF.com