Physics Colloquium, 31 October 2000

The Accelerating Universe: Enigmas and Nostrums

Sean Carroll

University of Chicago

Recent observations of distant supernovae have provided evidence that the expansion of the universe is accelerating rather than slowing down. The most straightforward explanation for these results is the existence of a nonzero cosmological constant; I will review the observational evidence pointing to this conclusion, and some of its theoretical ramifications. A nonzero cosmological constant seems unnatural in a variety of ways, which leads us to consider more dramatic alternatives to explain this puzzling result. I will speak about some of these alternatives and how we can hope to constrain them observationally.

For more information please see Dr. Carroll's page.

3.30 p.m., Smith Laboratory, Room 1005

Refreshments served in Smith 1094 at 3:00 p.m.