"Here's to the Cosmos" at the Next Clarkson University Science Cafe

Canton: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:15 p.m. at the Best Western University Inn Rushton Room, 90 E. Main St. in Canton, N.Y.

Potsdam: Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7:15 p.m. at the St. Lawrence Valley Roasters & Jernabi Coffeehouse, 11 Maple St. in Potsdam, N.Y.

How did the universe begin? What is it made of? How is it going to end? How big is it? How old? How did galaxies and clusters develop? Why are we here? In this talk, St. Lawrence University Associate Professor of Physics Cristian Armendariz-Picon will describe how modern cosmology answers these questions within the Big Bang and inflationary models. Along the way, he will explain the concept of an accelerating universe, what is meant by “dark matter” and “dark energy” and how we appear to be the result of quantum fluctuations in the vacuum, amplified by an early stage of cosmic acceleration.

Science Cafes bring together local university and college professors and townspeople in relaxed, informal settings, such as coffeehouses and pubs. The speaker makes a short presentation about a topic in his or her field, and then opens up the floor to discussion.

Find out more about Clarkson’s Science Cafe at http://www.clarkson.edu/sciencecafe.

Email Daniel ben-Avraham at [email protected] with any questions or suggestions for future Science Cafe topics.