PHYSICS IN ASPEN - “THE DYNAMIC AND EVOLVING UNIVERSE”

Hubble - infant galaxy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last week I attended the first Summer 2012 Free physics dialogue hosted by the Aspen Center for Physics , “The Dynamic and Evolving Universe”. This presentation was given by Dr. GilHolder, Associate Professor of Physics at McGill University . 

As is usual for me in regard to these kinds of presentations, I have come away with more questions than answers – but I guess that’s the nature of scientific inquiry. 

We were presented with a lot of details, but were given three main takeaways:

1. The universe is expanding at an increasing rate. 
   
2. This is occurring despite the fact that the force of gravity is relentless – It is a relatively weak force, but never stops. 
3. Star formation is a relatively recent phenomenon (on the Cosmological time scale), and the rate of formation has slowed down.

In the discussion, Dr. Holder walked us through the currently most-accepted view that the universe started off as a hot singularity, expanded rapidly at the Big Bang, and has continued to expand ever since.

He informed us that shortly after the Big Bang, the universe was quite smooth, but got more “lumpy” as gravity slowly took over – forming atom parts, then atoms themselves, and then progressively larger structures, including stars and galaxies. 

ASPEN COLORADO – WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON - WHAT’S COMING UP

Jerome B. Wheeler, former Macy's executive who later moved to Aspen, Colorado, and helped develop the town during its silver-mining boom era in the 1880s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Aspen, Colorado really is a delightfully unique place.

While the town is recognized internationally as a skiing and snowboarding mecca with many high-profile events and activities geared towards the rich and famous, it also provides the venue for many other outstanding activities and events that are accessible to the “common folk” as well.

Having grown up in Aspen and having lived here (or close by) for most of my life, one would think that I would take advantage of this, but it is astonishingly easy sometimes to take opportunities like this for granted. Only recently have I acted to rectify this and avail myself of activities and events that I had once brushed off or ignored completely.

Over the last year, I have listened to Aspen Music Festival concerts, sat in on lectures and presentations by the Aspen Center for Physics and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) , and even participated in local community dances.