Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Theoretical particle physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein delves into the enigma of dark matter and the elusive axion, a hypothetical particle that could tidy up our understanding of the universe. She discusses the challenges of detecting axions and how they might explain the universe's missing mass. The conversation also explores wave-particle duality and the promising avenues of research, including the significance of data from the Gaia Space Telescope. Join her as she unwraps the cosmic secrets hidden within axions!

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, a theoretical physicist at the University of New Hampshire and author of 'The Disordered Cosmos,' dives deep into the mysteries of our universe. She discusses how recent images from the James Webb Space Telescope challenge our understanding of galaxy formation, suggesting these celestial structures emerged much earlier than previously thought. The conversation also touches on the implications of these findings for the Big Bang theory and the intricate relationships between dark matter and spacetime.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, a theoretical physicist at the University of New Hampshire and author of 'The Disordered Cosmos', dives into the wonders of the universe and our connection to it. She reveals how cosmic events influence life on Earth, emphasizes the importance of identity, and advocates for greater accessibility to the night sky. Chanda also discusses the mysteries of quarks in particle physics and the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in STEM, inspiring a vision for inclusivity and curiosity in scientific inquiry.

The universe that we know, with its luminous stars and orbiting planets, is largely made up of elements we can't actually see -- like dark energy and dark matter -- and therefore don't fully understand. Theoretical physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein takes us inside the search for this cosmos-shaping invisible matter and explains how, with the help of a new generation of telescopes, we could be closer to demystifying it than ever before. "The universe is more queer and fantastical than it looks to the naked eye," she says. After the talk, our host Sherrell talks about the importance of inclusivity when it comes to who gets credit for technological advances.(If you want to hear more from Prescod-Weinstein, check out her episode on "The TED Interview" podcast wherever you're listening to this.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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