More has been learned about the origin and structure of the cosmos in the last century than in the entire history of humanity. And new discoveries are made constantly, thanks to the skills of the international science community and the great technological advances that make it possible to probe the universe. Here are SftPublic lectures and conversations on leading areas of investigation.
Astrophysics Knowns and Unknowns
A guide to fundamentals of astrophyics at a time of many exciting --and sometimes puzzling-- discoveries
Cosmic Evolution
From the beginning of the universe to complex life: an explanation of the development of the cosmos
Exoplanet Atomospheres
How do scientists investigate exoplanet atmospheres --and what are they discovering?
Gamma Ray Bursts
An explanation of the most spectacular explosions in the universe, and their possible impact on life
Great Expectations: The Large Hadron Collider 2015
When the LHC starts up again in 2015, what will scientists be looking for?
How Solar Systems Form: Puzzles and Possibilities
Astronomer Joan Najita explains the challenge of understanding how planetary systems are created.
A Front-Row Seat at the Big Bang: The LHC at CERN
The Large Hadron Collider probes the most fundamental level of nature...
Looking for Signatures of Life on Mars
Was there ever life on Mars? How do scientists search for and analyze possible clues?
Mapping the Heavens
A look at how major ideas in science are often initially resisted, and a view of the invisible cosmos
Mapping the Milky Way
An amazing 30+ year project and the discovery of two new Milky Way spiral arms
Mario Livio, Ph.D: His Astrophysics, His New Book (Brilliant Blunders), His Other Books
Astrophysicist and popular science author, Mario Livio, talks about his science, his writing, and his passion for art
Massive Galaxies: Where and How They Form
The investigation of how super-galaxies form is expected to provide insight into other mysteries such as dark matter and dark energy.
Mathematics and the Multiverse
Max Tegmark discusses the topic of his book: the multiverse and how reality is mathematical
Natural Mathematics: Intuition and Insight
A visionary approach to teaching, learning --and discovering-- mathematics
Odd Couple: UV Radiation and the Origin of Life
A very exciting investigation of the possible role of ultraviolet radiation in the emergence of life --on Earth and elsewhere
Origami: Art and Science
Discover how art and science intersect; it will change your entire perspective
Probing Exoplanet Atmospheres
A description of exoplanet atmospheres and how scientists attempt to analyze these alien atmospheres.
Probing the Large-Scale Universe
Deep cosmic surveys hope to explain the mysterious accelerating expansion of the universe. That search considers dark energy, dark matter, gravity.
Quantum Computing, Quantum Biology
An exploration of the quantum realm in computation, the cosmos, and biology
Reconstructing the Evolution of Stars
How astronomers read the evolution of the universe through the chemistry of the stars
Renaissance Roots of Modern Science
From astrology to astronomy, from superstition to empirical investigation....
Science Speculations: Time Travel
How realistic is the time-travel concept and how would time machines work?
Solar Magnetic Storms and Space Weather
How the Sun's magnetic storms can affect electric grids and electronic communications
The 2016 Large Hadron Collider Update
The latest news from this year's work at the Large Hadron Collider in CERN
The Core of the Moon
Did the ancient moon have a magnetic field like Earth's? And why do scientists need to know?
The Dark Age of the Universe
What scientists are learning about the early universe --before light emerged
The Formation of Stars and Planets
How stars and their planetary systems form, and what the New Horizons mission to Pluto will reveal about the "fossil record" of our own solar system
The Social Context of Science
David Kaiser discusses how culture influences science and why we should be aware of that relationship
Two Paul Steinhardt Projects: The "Cyclic Universe" and "Quasicrystals"
One of our foremost physicists discusses two projects: the cyclic universe and quasicrystals
Update from the Large Hadron Collider: The Higgs?
Finding the Higgs is one of the greatest triumphs in the history of science...
What Mathematicians Reveal about Gerrymandering
Finally, an explanation of how votiing districts can be unfairly sliced and diced
What's Up at the 2015 Large Hadron Collider
A report on the 2015 experiments at the Large Hadron Collider, now at unprecedented 13 TeV energy
