Mathematical Sciences - Colloquium

The Curvature of Space
Dr. Jeffery Weeks

The talk will begin with an elementary introduction to curved space, using physical models and interactive 3D graphics to build intuition and demonstrate some surprising visual effects. We'll then see how physicists' understanding of a curved, expanding universe evolved over the 20th century, leading to measurements of the microwave background radiation which are now revealing the curvature of the observable universe. But even as these measurements answer old questions about the curvature of space, they raise new questions about the matter and energy it contains.

For mathematics faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate math and physics majors. Note: The other half of the story, namely the topology of space, will be the subject of the evening lecture.

Thursday, 5 September 2002
4:10 p.m. in James E Todd Building 203-204
Reception at 3:30 p.m. 204

This talk is part of The Presidents Lecture Series & The Big Sky Conference, and is sponsored in part by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Fall 2002 Colloquium Schedule | Mathematical Sciences | The University of Montana