Session B4: Research Talks at the Undergraduate Level

10:45 AM–12:33 PM, Saturday, April 22, 2006
Hyatt Regency Dallas - Marsalis A

Sponsoring Unit: FEd
Chair: David Ehrenstein, APS

Abstract ID: BAPS.2006.APR.B4.3

Abstract: B4.00003 : Why Is the Universe Accelerating?

11:57 AM–12:33 PM

Preview Abstract

Author:

  Sean Carroll
    (University of Chicago)

Our universe is accelerating, a phenomenon that cannot be accounted for by ordinary matter and conventional gravity. The simplest explanation is to invoke a vacuum energy of 120 orders of magnitude less than the expected amount. Alternatively, there could be a smoothly-distributed, slowly-varying dynamical component, or a breakdown of general relativity on cosmological scales. All of the possibilities are very exciting, and future observations have promise for distinguishing between them. I will give an overview of the theoretical proposals for explaining the acceleration of the universe and the observational constraints which any model must satisfy.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2006.APR.B4.3