StarTalk Radio Cosmic Queries – Big Bang Bonanza with Brian Keating
Jun 14, 2022
Join cosmologist Brian Keating, a distinguished professor at UC San Diego and host of "Into the Impossible," as he dives into the mysteries of the universe. Explore the intriguing questions about what existed before the Big Bang and the significance of cosmic inflation. Brian and the hosts discuss the fascinating cosmic microwave background and its implications. They also tackle the challenge of communicating complex science to the public while sharing personal insights and playful humor. Get ready for a cosmic journey filled with wonder and wit!
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Big Bang: Beginning of Knowledge
- The Big Bang is the point where our current knowledge begins, not ends.
- It's the starting point for understanding the universe's evolution, not a limit to our knowledge.
Why Inflation?
- The need for inflation arose from inconsistencies in the original Big Bang theory, like the universe's uniformity.
- Inflation explains the universe's size, flatness, and temperature fluctuations.
Inflation Explained
- Inflation is a period of exponential expansion driven by a quantum field called the inflaton.
- This rapid expansion explains the universe's large size and uniform temperature.