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Sep. 17, 2010
Strange Physics: Dark Flow, Fine Structure Constant
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Several years ago, researchers reported an unexpected motion of several galactic clusters towards one area of the universe. The effect, which came to be known as 'dark flow,' has puzzled cosmologists. We'll talk about the mind-boggling idea that stuff we can't see within our visible universe could be causing gravitational effects on visible matter. We'll also hear about new studies into the fine structure constant -- which some researchers say may not be so constant after all. Can the rules of physics differ from one place to another? Or are indications of a non-constant fine structure constant signs of other new physics yet to be discovered? |
Produced by Annette Heist, Senior Producer
Guests
-
Michael Turner
Director and Rauner Distinguished Service Professor
Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
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Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.
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