Leading astronomer to explore dark energy and Einstein

(PhysOrg.com) -- The universe is expanding faster and faster but it is because of a mysterious force called dark energy or a break down in Einstein?s theory of relativity?

Next Wednesday, a leading astronomer will explore why the universe is expanding at a Victoria University public lecture.

Victoria graduate Professor Warrick Couch, Distinguished Professor at the Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, is part of a team trying to find out more about the universe’s accelerating expansion, which astonished astrophysicists at the turn of last century.

It seems that there is some mysterious force that pushes the contents of the universe apart—dark energy. Or, perhaps Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity somehow breaks down on the very largest scales.

In research known as the ‘WiggleZ Dark Energy Survey’, the team uses sound waves that have travelled through the very early universe to measure the behaviour of dark energy. With the survey close to completion, the first tantalizing insights into the nature of dark energy are almost at hand.

Public lecture: The Accelerating Universe, Dark Energy and Cosmic Sound Waves

Professor Warrick Couch

Wednesday 27 October, 6pm

Victoria University Law School (GBLT1, entrance off Stout St)

Provided by Victoria University