February 13, 2024
Speaker: Daniel Scolnic (Duke University)
Contact Information: daniel.scolnic@duke.edu
Title: Measurements of the Expansion Rate of the Universe and the Lingering Hubble Tension
Abstract: The standard model of cosmology has passed every test over the last twenty years. Yet it remains unsatisfactory, with 95% of the universe being dark components, whose nature we did not understand. Now, there are possible ‘cracks’ in the model, as recent observations of the local expansion rate of the universe, parameterized by the Hubble constant, do not match predictions using data from the Cosmic Microwave Background and our standard model. This is the best end-to-end test of our cosmological model, and currently, we do not pass the test. I will discuss my team’s Pantheon+SH0ES measurements on the local side, and review the numerous crosschecks and tests on our data and analysis. I will show new data from the James Webb Space Telescope and explain how it strengthens the current tension. Finally, I will talk about how the community is moving forward, with different probes of the early and late universe, and what new theoretical ideas show the most promise.
Visitor's room: 127
Visit Schedule:
Tuesday (February 13, 2024):
9:30 a.m.:
10:00 a.m: Alex A (102 Peyton)
10:30 a.m.:
11:00 a.m.: Colloquium
11:30 a.m.: Colloquium
12:00 p.m.: Bahcall lunch
12:30 p.m.: Bahcall lunch
1:00 p.m.: Bahcall lunch
1:30 p.m.: Peter Melchior (131 Peyton)
2:00 p.m.: Bruce Draine (108 Peyton)
2:30 p.m.: Roohi Dalal (Peyton 003)
3:00 p.m.: Tea Time with Grad Students in Grand Central
3:30 p.m.: Tea Time with Grad Students in Grand Central
4:00 p.m.: Justin Myles (115 Peyton)
4:30 p.m.: Michael Strauss (113 Peyton)
5:00 p.m.: Neta Bahcall (137 Peyton)
Dinner Sign-up - add your name here:
Tuesday (February 13, 2024)
Faculty Host: Alex Amon
Postdoc Host: Susanna Azoni
Christian Kragh Jespersen
Peter Melchior
Roohi Dalal
Yue Pan
Nick Loudas
Dan Scolnic
STUDENTS HAVE PRIORITY.
PLEASE NO MORE THAN 8 PEOPLE (it is more difficult to properly interact with the speaker in larger groups).