The past century of progress in Physics and Astronomy has witnessed development of hugely successful programs in theory, observations, experiments, and phenomenology. While it is perfectly justified to celebrate these advances, we must not lose sight of the big picture, one that includes ever-widening chasms amongst our best models of nature: dark matter, vaccum, the big bang, particle physics and quantum gravity. Will either observations or experiments ever be able to bridge these divides, or are we still missing key analytic ingredients? Do we even have the right language or tools? I will ponder these deep questions, and what I see as trickles of hope for an endgame.
Bio:
Dr. Niayesh Afshordi is a professor in the Astrophysics and Gravitation group at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Associate Faculty in the Cosmology and Gravitation group at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physic (PI) and founding faculty member at the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA).
"I dabble in Astrophysics, Cosmology, and Physics of gravity. I am obsessed with observational hints that could help address problems in fundamental physics. In particular, I have found anomalous signatures of dark energy and dark baryons in the cosmic microwave background radiation. With other collaborators, I have also developed a curious theory for an incompressible dark energy, named cuscuton (after the Latin name for the parasitic plant of dodder). I am currently trying my hand in solving the cosmological constant problem through a new theory of gravity that can surprisingly relate the formation of astrophysical black holes to today’s acceleration of cosmic expansion. In a related inquiry, I am also exploring the relation of cuscuton and quantum gravity. My most exciting discoveries (so far) might be the Cosmological non-Constant problem, the most predictive theory of Big Bang, or Echoes from the Abyss!" Find out more about Dr. Afshordi's research and interests here.
Find research publications here. You can also find public talks, popular articles and youtube videos here.
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2023-01-16T15:00:002023-01-16T16:00:00Quantum Spacetime in the Cosmos: The EndgameEvent Information:
Abstract:
The past century of progress in Physics and Astronomy has witnessed development of hugely successful programs in theory, observations, experiments, and phenomenology. While it is perfectly justified to celebrate these advances, we must not lose sight of the big picture, one that includes ever-widening chasms amongst our best models of nature: dark matter, vaccum, the big bang, particle physics and quantum gravity. Will either observations or experiments ever be able to bridge these divides, or are we still missing key analytic ingredients? Do we even have the right language or tools? I will ponder these deep questions, and what I see as trickles of hope for an endgame.
Bio:
Dr. Niayesh Afshordi is a professor in the Astrophysics and Gravitation group at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Associate Faculty in the Cosmology and Gravitation group at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physic (PI) and founding faculty member at the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics (WCA).
"I dabble in Astrophysics, Cosmology, and Physics of gravity. I am obsessed with observational hints that could help address problems in fundamental physics. In particular, I have found anomalous signatures of dark energy and dark baryons in the cosmic microwave background radiation. With other collaborators, I have also developed a curious theory for an incompressible dark energy, named cuscuton (after the Latin name for the parasitic plant of dodder). I am currently trying my hand in solving the cosmological constant problem through a new theory of gravity that can surprisingly relate the formation of astrophysical black holes to today’s acceleration of cosmic expansion. In a related inquiry, I am also exploring the relation of cuscuton and quantum gravity. My most exciting discoveries (so far) might be the Cosmological non-Constant problem, the most predictive theory of Big Bang, or Echoes from the Abyss!" Find out more about Dr. Afshordi's research and interests here.
Find research publications here. You can also find public talks, popular articles and youtube videos here.Event Location:
Henn 318
