Charting the evolution of the Universe – with Brian Keating

Did the Universe begin with a Big Bang? And if not, how did it come to be? Join renowned cosmologist Brian Keating and explore the evolution of the Universe in this demo-packed lecture. Follow Dr Brian Keating on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 Watch the Q&A here: https://youtu.be/-6qWIOPzkSU This Discourse was recorded at the Ri on 29 June 2023. Discourses are one of the Ri’s oldest and most prestigious series of talks - find out more about them here: https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/history-friday-evening-discourse Donate to the Ri and help us bring you more scientific lectures: https://www.rigb.org/support-us/donate-ri 00:00 Introduction 2:02 Early models of the universe’s origin 4:40 Newton and Einstein’s models of the universe 07:38 Lemaitre’s Big Bang 10:12 The four pillars of the Big Bang Theory 12:39 What’s the problem with the Big Bang theory? 16:06 Discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation 19:54 Alternatives to the singular Big Bang 24:41 The inflationary multiverse theory 33:09 The double slit experiment 36:10 Disproving other theories with polarisation 42:41 B-mode polarisation – the decisive experiment 49:28 Losing the Nobel Prize due to meteorites 51:08 The Simons Observatory and the next experiment 54:44 Problems with the multiverse theory 57:40 Michael Faraday and experimental science Unravelling the mysteries and origins of the Universe remains one of the biggest questions in physics. Drawing upon decades of research and observation, the scientific consensus based on current evidence supports the theory of a single Big Bang event that led to the formation of the universe as we observe it today. While alternative evolutionary models such as bouncing and cyclic universes are undoubtedly intriguing, they lack the observational support and experimental validation that the Big Bang theory enjoys. From the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation, to the large-scale structure of the universe, to the relative abundance of light elements, the Big Bang theory remains unquestioned. But new areas of research continue to develop, such as the study of dust and its contribution to astrophysical research, facilitating further understanding of the early universe and its evolution. As a leading expert in the field, Brian effortlessly navigates through the complex and fascinating science behind our universe and its conception. Brian Keating is a Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of physics at the Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences (CASS) in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego. He is a public speaker, inventor, and an expert in the study of the universe’s oldest light, the cosmic microwave background (CMB), using it to learn about the origin and evolution of the universe. Keating is a writer and podcaster and the best-selling author of one of Amazon Editors’ ‘Best Non-fiction Books of All Time', Losing the Nobel Prize. Visit his website here: https://briankeating.com/ and follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating -- A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially: modsiw, Anton Ragin, Edward Unthank, Robert L Winer, Andy Carpenter, William Hudson Don McLaughlin, efkinel lo, Martin Paull, Ben Wynne-Simmons, Ivo Danihelka, Kevin Winoto, Jonathan Killin, Stephan Giersche, William Billy Robillard, Jeffrey Schweitzer, Frances Dunne, jonas.app, Tim Karr, Alan Latteri, David Crowner, Matt Townsend, THOMAS N TAMADA, Andrew McGhee, Paul Brown, David Schick, Dave Ostler, Osian Gwyn Williams, David Lindo, Roger Baker, Rebecca Pan -- The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ri_science Listen to the Ri podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ri-science-podcast Our editorial policy: https://www.rigb.org/editing-ri-talks-and-moderating-comments Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.