General Physics Colloquium

The Origin of the Idea of a Big Bang Universe

Helge Kragh, Centre for Science Studies, Aarhus University

What since the 1970s has been known as the big bang model of the universe dates from 1931, when the idea of a "primeval atom" was suggested by the Belgian physicist Georges Lemaître. However, the idea did not catch on and when George Gamow revived it in about 1950, he was no more successful. Only with the discovery of the cosmic microwave background in 1965 did the hot big bang become firmly established. The lecture will focus on the early period (1922-1934) and the work of Lemaître, who is not well known among physicists and astronomers.

Coffee/tea and cake will be served at 3 p.m.