Cosmic Evolution, Jun14

The scientific exploration of our origins began in earnest with Copernicus, Galileo, and Darwin. Now, our rich cosmic understanding is detailed and well-tested; it even has far-reaching implications for other aspects of people’s lives, including philosophy, religion, and politics.

Speaker Eliot Quataert is Professor of Physics & Astronomy and Director of the Center for Theoretical Astrophysics at UC Berkeley. Dr. Quataert will summarize our modern understanding of cosmic origins — from the Big Bang to exoplanets (and even to humans). He will describe how the universe evolved from its smooth beginnings to its current state, emphasizing how gravity reigns supreme and builds up the galaxies, stars, and planets required for the marvel of biological evolution.

Dr. Eliot Quataert