Adam Riess is a renowned astrophysicist recognized for his groundbreaking research on the expansion of the universe with the 2011 Nobel Prize in physics Through extensive measurements and collaborations with other scientists, Riess discovered an intriguing tension in the size of the universe's expansion, which has steadily grown over the past decade. These results, reaching a significant level of more than 5 sigma, revealed an unexpected phenomenon: the rate of the universe's expansion seems to differ based on whether one starts from the beginning shortly after the big bang or from the present. This unexpected autonomy in the expansion challenged the traditional cosmological model, which tells the story of the universe's evolution from its inception to its current state. Riess's research has generated suspicion among many scientists, leading them to question whether the cosmological model itself needs revision. In his pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the universe, Riess reminds us that advanced technology may often be mistaken for something magical.
On this episode of INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Riess explores the challenges of measuring distances in the universe and the discrepancies between measurements of the expansion rate of the universe first observed by Edwin Hubble namesake of The Hubble Constant, a pillar of cosmology. From the use of parallax (dating back to ancient Greece) to the use of Cepheid variables and Type 1a supernovae, Riess takes listeners on a journey through the cosmic distance ladder and the problem of the variation in the measurement of the Hubble constant known as the Hubble Tension. The possible role of dark energy is discussed, opening up new avenues for scientific investigation. Riess shares insights into the concept of the cosmological principle, and how it is challenged by the Hubble Tension.
The conversation touches on peak experiences, the awe-inspiring encounters with nature that trigger moments of gratitude and curiosity, and the importance of sustaining these feelings in scientific exploration.
Riess highlights the empirical nature of observational cosmology and the need for continued data collection and refining of models. Black holes, gravitational lensing, and Adam’s motivations to pursue precision science are discussed.
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