Charting the Evolution of the Universe

This lecture traces models of the universe’s origin and examines evidence for the Big Bang alongside alternatives. It focuses on cosmic microwave background observations, including the search for B-mode polarization.

Syllabus

Introduction
Early models of the universe’s origin
Newton and Einstein’s models of the universe
Lemaitre’s Big Bang
The four pillars of the Big Bang Theory
What’s the problem with the Big Bang theory?
Discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation
Alternatives to the singular Big Bang
The inflationary multiverse theory
The double slit experiment
Disproving other theories with polarisation
B-mode polarisation – the decisive experiment
Losing the Nobel Prize due to meteorites
The Simons Observatory and the next experiment
Problems with the multiverse theory
Michael Faraday and experimental science