THE COSMIC JOURNEY OF STARLIGHT: WHERE HAVE ALL THE PHOTONS GONE?

Eli Dwek, Adjunct Professor, Astronomy Department, University of Maryland, College Park

Résumé/abstract:

In an infinite and static universe populated by stars, the night sky would be infinitely bright. The fact that the night sky is dark is known as Olber's 'paradox'. Its solution lies in the two faulty assumptions that the universe is infinite and static.

The absolute brightness of the night sky from optical to far infrared wavelengths contains therefore important information on the scale and evolution of the star-filled universe.

In this talk I will describe the quest for determining the brightness of the sky and the cosmological implications.

Cette conférence s'adresse à tous, y compris les professeurs, les chercheurs et les étudiants des trois cycles.

Le café est servi à partir de 11h20.

Cette conférence est présentée par le Département de physique de l'Université de Montréal.