Instant Genius The biggest unsolved mysteries in cosmology
Aug 1, 2025
Join award-winning science writer Marcus Chown as he delves into the mind-boggling mysteries of the universe. He discusses the elusive nature of dark matter and dark energy, which have stumped scientists for years. Chown also explores the challenges of reconciling gravity with the other forces of nature and introduces the concept of multiple universes. Additionally, he shares insights on black holes and the ongoing hunt for extraterrestrial intelligence, sparking curiosity about what truly lies beyond our earthly confines.
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Big Bang and Cosmic Background
- The Big Bang marks a hot, dense origin of the universe about 13.82 billion years ago.
- The cosmic microwave background is the afterglow, showing early universe fluctuations leading to galaxy formation.
Inflation and the Multiverse
- Inflation is a super fast expansion before the Big Bang explaining cosmic uniformity.
- It suggests multiple bubble universes form endlessly, creating a multiverse scenario.
Dark Matter's Elusive Nature
- Dark matter, invisible but gravitationally influential, is vital for galaxy formation.
- Black holes are a plausible dark matter candidate, but searches for them have mostly come up empty.
