Professor Will Percival
An international expert on cosmology, based at the University of Portsmouth, discussed the mysteries of the Universe, from fact to scientific theory, in his inaugural lecture this week.
Professor Will Percival, of the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, spoke about his work mapping the universe, using large surveys of galaxies to trace the cosmological evolution from the Big Bang to present day.
The Big Bang is estimated to have happened 13.75 billion years ago, and the Universe has been expanding since. The force of gravity slows down this expansion, and it was expected that this deceleration would continue forever.
However, in the last five billion years the Universe has started to expand much more rapidly. Scientists believe this is due to a mysterious force named Dark Energy.
Professor Percival says: ”Understanding Dark Energy is one of the most interesting questions that faces modern physicists.
“I was pleased to be able to take my audience on a journey through the observable Universe, and tell everyone about the wonders of the observations I have had the privilege to analyse.”
Large surveys of galaxies, compiled by cosmologists all around the world, provide a wealth of information about the Universe, and on Dark Energy.
Watch edited highlights of Professor Percival’s lecture here:
