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Explore how cosmology has evolved from the big bang controversy of sixty years ago to today's data-driven science in this lecture by world-renowned cosmologist George Efstathiou. Discover how the standard model of cosmology has been defined by cosmic microwave background radiation from the Planck satellite, and question whether scientists truly understand its fundamental components. Learn about how the structure of the Universe originated from quantum fluctuations stretched during an early inflationary phase, while examining the three key ingredients of the model—inflation, cold dark matter, and dark energy—that remain mysterious. Professor Efstathiou, recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the 2022 Gold Medal in Astronomy and the 2024 Einstein Medal, contemplates whether the Universe's secrets will remain hidden for generations or if a paradigm shift might occur in the coming years.
