POSTPONED When Did the Universe Begin?

As a public health precaution, this lecture has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a future date. More information.

Watch the webcast on Air and Space Live or attend in person: 

7:30 pm           Meet the lecturer
8:00 pm           Lecture begins
9:00 pm           Stargazing in the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory, weather permitting

A century ago there was a "Great Debate" among astronomers if galaxies exist. Today, a new debate has arisen: How old is the Universe? Join Wendy Freedman, John and Marion Sullivan University Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Chicago, as she explores the options in this newest and most fascinating question.

Freedman was a principle investigator for a team of thirty astronomers who carried out the Hubble Key Project to measure the current expansion rate of the universe. Her current research interests are directed at measuring both the current and past expansion rate of the universe. She is the Principal Investigator of a long-term program with the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes to measure the Hubble constant to an accuracy of 3%.

This lecture is free but tickets are required. Reserve your tickets now.

About the Exploring Space Lecture Series

Many Eyes on the Universe

One hundred years ago, astronomers using optical telescopes questioned whether the universe was composed of stars, or of systems of stars called “galaxies.” Since then, this “Great Debate” has shifted to more and more precise questions. The 2020 Exploring Space Lecture Series will feature discussions on some of these questions as we explore the mysteries of the Sun, new information on black holes, and the roles that the Spitzer and Event Horizon telescopes have played in shaping the parameters of this constantly-evolving debate.

The Exploring Space Lecture Series is made possible by the generous support of Aerojet Rocketdyne and United Launch Alliance.