Wendy Freedman

Wendy Freedman, a leading astronomer from UChicago, dives into the captivating debate on the universe's age and expansion. She reveals how conflicting measurements of the Hubble constant challenge our understanding of physics. Freedman's groundbreaking research with the James Webb Space Telescope promises to shed light on these mysteries. The discussion also touches on dark matter, dark energy, and the tantalizing possibility of extraterrestrial life, all while encouraging new scientists to tackle the cosmos' biggest questions.

What do the early galaxies discovered by JWST tell us about the early universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Matt Kirshen explore the expansion of space, dark energy, and the age of the universe with astronomer, Wendy Freedman.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Fernando Colón, Richie Mercado, Miami John, David Rivera, Matthew Reason, and Kostas Chaskis for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, I. LABBE Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

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.

Wendy Freedman, a distinguished professor at the University of Chicago and a leading figure in observational cosmology, discusses her groundbreaking work on measuring the Hubble Constant. She shares insights into the historical discrepancies in its value and her team's innovations that brought clarity to these cosmic measurements. Freedman delves into the challenges of using Cepheid variable stars and highlights advancements in telescopes like Hubble and Webb. She also reflects on the future of astronomy, focusing on inclusivity and the role of women in science.

Leading cosmologist Wendy Freedman discusses the crisis in cosmology, advancements in cosmology from glass plates to CCDs, historical observations of dark matter, challenges of science communication in cosmology, unknown systematics in cosmological measurements, tension between measurements of cosmic background and cepheids, and importance of independent checks in cosmology.