The Futures in Conversation: From the Big Bang to the Universe today

Event Date:
2026-03-05T20:00:00
2026-03-05T21:00:00
Event Location:
Ismaili Centre (4010 Canada Way, Burnaby BC / V5G 1G8)
Speaker:
Dr. Arif Babul, University of Victoria and Dr. Mark Halpern, University of British Columbia
Related Upcoming Events:
Public Events
Intended Audience:
Public
Local Contact:

Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. 
All are welcome. No prior knowledge of astronomy is needed! 

Please register o purchase tickets:

  • General Public: A nominal fee of $10 will be charged per ticket. Please register HERE
  • Students: This event is free for you with valid student ID. Please register HERE 

Event Information:

Please join us for this stellar event on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at the Ismaili Centre Vancouver.  

Abstract:

Human beings have always looked to the sky with wonder, asking “How did the Universe come to look as it does?” 
Join Dr. Arif Babul, Distinguished Professor at the University of Victoria, in conversation with Mark Halpern, Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of British Columbia, for an inspiring evening exploring the frontiers of modern cosmology. Using cutting-edge computer-generated imagery and animation, he will share how scientists are building a detailed picture of the Universe, where our understanding is strong, and where deep mysteries still remain.  
 

Bios:

Dr. Arif Babul is a University of Victoria Distinguished Professor in Physics and Astronomy, renowned for his work in cosmology, theoretical and computational astrophysics, and the formation and evolution of cosmic structures.

A leader in understanding how the early smooth universe evolved into today’s rich tapestry of galaxies and clusters, Dr. Babul employs cutting-edge simulation and theoretical modelling to explore the physical processes shaping the cosmos. His contributions to astrophysics have earned him prestigious recognitions, including the David H. Turpin Gold Medal for Career Achievement in Research and election as a Fellow of the American Physical Society


Mark Halpern is a cosmologist whose experimental cosmology research focuses on measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the thermal radiation from the hot plasma that filled the universe for its first few hundred thousand years.

His research group at UBC is also involved in a number of efforts to understand the history of galaxy and star formation in the early universe through the properties and distribution of galaxies at light redshift.

Halpern’s group is also involved in efforts to build two new instruments to facilitate measurement of the universe at high redshift: the Balloon-borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST), an instrument designed to search for wavelengths emitted by distant galaxies but currently blocked by our atmosphere; and SCUBA2, a revolutionary camera being built for the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope.
 


 

Add to Calendar 2026-03-05T20:00:00 2026-03-05T21:00:00 The Futures in Conversation: From the Big Bang to the Universe today Event Information: Please join us for this stellar event on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at the Ismaili Centre Vancouver.   Abstract: Human beings have always looked to the sky with wonder, asking “How did the Universe come to look as it does?” Join Dr. Arif Babul, Distinguished Professor at the University of Victoria, in conversation with Mark Halpern, Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of British Columbia, for an inspiring evening exploring the frontiers of modern cosmology. Using cutting-edge computer-generated imagery and animation, he will share how scientists are building a detailed picture of the Universe, where our understanding is strong, and where deep mysteries still remain.    Bios: Dr. Arif Babul is a University of Victoria Distinguished Professor in Physics and Astronomy, renowned for his work in cosmology, theoretical and computational astrophysics, and the formation and evolution of cosmic structures. A leader in understanding how the early smooth universe evolved into today’s rich tapestry of galaxies and clusters, Dr. Babul employs cutting-edge simulation and theoretical modelling to explore the physical processes shaping the cosmos. His contributions to astrophysics have earned him prestigious recognitions, including the David H. Turpin Gold Medal for Career Achievement in Research and election as a Fellow of the American Physical Society Mark Halpern is a cosmologist whose experimental cosmology research focuses on measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the thermal radiation from the hot plasma that filled the universe for its first few hundred thousand years. His research group at UBC is also involved in a number of efforts to understand the history of galaxy and star formation in the early universe through the properties and distribution of galaxies at light redshift. Halpern’s group is also involved in efforts to build two new instruments to facilitate measurement of the universe at high redshift: the Balloon-borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST), an instrument designed to search for wavelengths emitted by distant galaxies but currently blocked by our atmosphere; and SCUBA2, a revolutionary camera being built for the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope.    Event Location: Ismaili Centre (4010 Canada Way, Burnaby BC / V5G 1G8)