Cosmological Conundrums

This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Justin Khoury, Professor of Physics at the University of Pennsylvania. This thoughtful, extensive conversation gives a window into the world of what a practicing, theoretical physicist cosmologist is doing all day long and examines a wide range of fascinating topics that his research covers such as the early universe, the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, Cosmic Microwave Background, the MOND (Modified Newtonian Dynamics) theory, and more. This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Into The Light, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter: I. Becoming A Physicist - The power of passion II. The Victim of Its Success? - Swinging scientific pendulums III. Periodically Fiery - Calculating colliding branes IV. The CMB - Almost completely homogeneous V. The Process of Discovery - Typically messier than you think VI. Learning from History - Missing mass or missing theory? VII. MOND vs. Dark Matter, Part I - Looking at galaxies VIII. MOND vs. Dark Matter, Part II - Dark matter roars back IX. Why Not Both? - The liquid helium analogy X. Dark Energy - Vacuum energy and the cosmological constant problem XI. Personal vs. Professional - The scientist as childlike iconoclast XII. Revolutionary Rumblings - Cosmology’s Golden Age About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series: This book is part of an expanding series of 100+ Ideas Roadshow conversations, each one presenting a wealth of candid insights from a leading expert in a focused yet informal setting to give non-specialists a uniquely accessible window into frontline research and scholarship that wouldn't otherwise be encountered through standard lectures and textbooks. For other books in this series visit our website: https://ideas-on-film.com/ideasroadshow/.