About the Speaker

[Photo: Michael Turner]

Michael Turner

Before joining the University of Chicago faculty in 1980, Professor Turner received his B.S. from the California Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. He has earned fellowships from the National Science Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the American Physical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and has been a member of the National Academy of Sciences since 1997. Turner's research focuses on the application of modern ideas in elementary-particle theory to cosmology and astrophysics, and he has made important contributions to the theory of big-bang nucleosynthesis, big-bang baryogenesis, the inflationary universe, and the nature of dark matter and its role in the formation of structure in the Universe. Professor Turner recently played an important role in the university’s successful bids to secure the management contracts from the Department of Energy for both Argonne National Laboratory and the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

Please join Michael Turner, Bruce V. and Diana M. Rauner Distinguished Service Professor Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Physics for his lecture on:

The Dark Side of the Universe: Beyond Stars and the Starstuff We Are Made Of
Carl Sagan made famous the phrase, “we are made of starstuff”, meaning that the atoms in our bodies came from stars. While true enough, we now know the Universe is not primarily made of starstuff. Ninety-six percent of the Universe is dark stuff that we cannot see and are only aware of because of its gravitational pull and push on us. While we have no idea what the dark energy is, based upon work by Chicago cosmologists we are pursuing the hypothesis that the dark matter is comprised of a new form of matter that can be created in the laboratory. Understanding the dark side of the Universe is the big challenge in cosmology, and using both accelerators and telescopes, Chicago scientists are leading the way to shed light on the dark side.

When: Tuesday, November 6, 2007
  5:30 p.m. – Cocktails
6:00 p.m. – Program
7:00 p.m. – Buffet Dinner
Location:

The Arts Club of Chicago
201 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL
Cost: The cost is $75 per person, members and guests

Please respond by Tuesday, October 30, 2007

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