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Into the Impossible With Brian Keating
Did JWST Just Solve the Biggest Crisis in Cosmology? Wendy Freedman [Ep. 461]
Oct 6, 2024
Wendy Freedman, a renowned astronomer and professor at the University of Chicago, tackles the Hubble constant discrepancies with insights from her groundbreaking work on the Hubble Key Project. She explores how the James Webb Space Telescope may resolve cosmological tensions. Freedman breaks down distance measurement innovations, the role of Cepheid variables, and the potential of future telescopes like the Giant Magellan. Delving into topics like dark energy and the comparison of JWST's capabilities against Hubble, her expertise shines a light on our cosmic understanding.
48:54
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Quick takeaways
- Wendy Freedman emphasizes that utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope's advanced capabilities is crucial for resolving the ongoing Hubble tension in cosmology.
- The podcast highlights the importance of a diverse array of measurement techniques, including gravitational waves, to achieve greater accuracy in understanding cosmic distances.
Deep dives
Understanding the Hubble Tension
The discussion centers around the Hubble tension, which is the ongoing discrepancy between measurements of the Hubble constant, the rate of expansion of the universe. Different methods provide varying values, leading to confusion and concern within the astrophysics community. Wendy Friedman emphasizes the need for improved accuracy in local measurements to validate or challenge existing data derived from the cosmic microwave background. To achieve this, she is utilizing the advanced capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to gather precise distance measurements for nearby galaxies.
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Discover
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode