Watch Cosmic Mysteries for free

Five renowned physicists, Justin Khoury, Rocky Kolb, Roger Penrose, Paul Steinhardt, and Scott Tremaine, delve into some of the most profound questions in modern cosmology, exploring topics such as dark matter, dark energy, the cosmological constant problem, and the enigmatic state of entropy at the universe's inception. Justin Khoury (University of Pennsylvania) provides insights into the early universe, discussing concepts like dark matter, dark energy, the Cosmic Microwave Background, and Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). His exploration offers a window into the challenges and intricacies of contemporary cosmological research. Rocky Kolb (University of Chicago) reflects on his journey into science and examines the development of inflationary cosmology, the Standard Model of particle physics, dark matter, dark energy, and the role of experiments like the Large Hadron Collider in probing these phenomena. Roger Penrose (University of Oxford) contemplates a paradox that has captivated him throughout his career: the universe's origin in a state that appears to be both of minimum and maximum entropy. Paul Steinhardt (Princeton University) critiques the theory of cosmic inflation, addressing its fine-tuning issues, the initial conditions problem, and the implications of eternal inflation leading to the concept of a multiverse. Canadian professor Scott Tremaine (Institute for Advanced Study) discusses the compelling evidence supporting the existence of dark matter and its significance in our understanding of the cosmos. Together, these experts provide a multifaceted exploration of the universe's deepest mysteries, offering a comprehensive understanding of current cosmological debates and discoveries. Howard Burton (Ideas Roadshow) is a distinguished Canadian academic, interviewer, and cultural content creator whose work bridges global scholarship with accessible public engagement.