February 27, 2026 8-10 PM

Event Type: Lecture and Stargazing
Title: Revealing the Primordial Universe Through Its Oldest Light
Lecturer: Wai Ling (Kimmy) Wu
Position: Professor
Institution: Caltech
Abstract:
The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is light emitted by the universe over 13 billion years ago, which provides a snapshot of the universe in its infancy. Observations of the cosmic microwave background have led scientists to create a standard cosmological model that defines how the universe evolves over time. I will describe this model, known as LCDM, what it predicts for our universe, and highlight some of the ways that observations from other cosmological probes suggest how it may break down. I will summarize current efforts throughout astrophysics to further our understanding of the universe, its formation, evolution, and fate.