SMP 3/19/16 | The Dark Side of the Universe | Speaker: Katherine Freese

The ordinary atoms that make up the known Universe, from our bodies and the air we breathe to the planets and stars, constitute only 5% of all matter and energy in the cosmos. The remaining 95% is made up of a recipe of 25% dark matter and 70% dark energy, both nonluminous components whose nature remains a mystery. Professor Freese will recount the hunt for dark matter, from the discoveries of visionary scientists like Fritz Zwicky, the Swiss astronomer who coined the term "dark matter" in 1933, to the deluge of data today from underground laboratories, satellites in space, and the Large Hadron Collider. She will provide an overview of this cosmic cocktail, including the evidence for the existence of dark matter in galaxies. Many cosmologists believe we are on the verge of solving this mystery, and this talk will provide the foundation needed to fully fathom this epochal moment in humankind's quest to understand the Universe.

All talks are free and refreshments will be served. Visitor parking for the seminars (Central Campus) is across the street from Weiser Hall (formerly the Dennison Building) in the U-M Church Street parking structure. There is a $2.00 parking charge implemented by U-M Parking Services. For more information regarding the Saturday Morning Physics series click here or call 734.764.4437.