Original subtitles

[Music]

the universe

the universe

the universe [Music]

[Music]

[Music] has long captivated us with its immense

has long captivated us with its immense

has long captivated us with its immense scales of distance and time

scales of distance and time

scales of distance and time [Music]

[Music]

[Music] in recent times

in recent times

in recent times giant new telescopes have allowed us to

giant new telescopes have allowed us to

giant new telescopes have allowed us to cast our gaze into the deepest reaches

cast our gaze into the deepest reaches

cast our gaze into the deepest reaches of the known universe

of the known universe

of the known universe [Music]

astronomers have concluded that the

astronomers have concluded that the

astronomers have concluded that the stars and galaxies that stretch out to

stars and galaxies that stretch out to

stars and galaxies that stretch out to the limits of our vision

the limits of our vision

the limits of our vision may represent only a small fraction of

may represent only a small fraction of

may represent only a small fraction of all there is

they are pioneering bold new theories

they are pioneering bold new theories

they are pioneering bold new theories that describe a universe that extends

that describe a universe that extends

that describe a universe that extends far beyond the limits of our vision

where does it all end

where does it all end

where does it all end where do we

where do we

where do we fit within it

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

a remote outpost in the andes mountains

a remote outpost in the andes mountains

a remote outpost in the andes mountains here astronomers are opening a whole new

here astronomers are opening a whole new

here astronomers are opening a whole new window onto the universe

window onto the universe

window onto the universe [Music]

[Music]

[Music] the reuben telescope with its giant

the reuben telescope with its giant

the reuben telescope with its giant state-of-the-art mirror

state-of-the-art mirror

state-of-the-art mirror will send a vast stream of data to a

will send a vast stream of data to a

will send a vast stream of data to a global network of processing centers and

global network of processing centers and

global network of processing centers and supercomputers

supercomputers

supercomputers [Music]

[Music]

[Music] its target

its target

its target [Music]

[Music]

[Music] dim objects racing through our solar

dim objects racing through our solar

dim objects racing through our solar system

system

system [Music]

[Music]

[Music] stars in distant galaxies

stars in distant galaxies

stars in distant galaxies exploding

exploding

exploding [Music]

or flying into violent collisions

these blasts of energy from distant

these blasts of energy from distant

these blasts of energy from distant corners of creation

corners of creation

corners of creation are messages from a universe that is

are messages from a universe that is

are messages from a universe that is evolving in ways we can scarcely

evolving in ways we can scarcely

evolving in ways we can scarcely comprehend

they are propelling us

they are propelling us

they are propelling us into a new age of advanced scientific

into a new age of advanced scientific

into a new age of advanced scientific theories about the very nature of time

theories about the very nature of time

theories about the very nature of time and space

theories that challenge philosophical

theories that challenge philosophical

theories that challenge philosophical assumptions

assumptions

assumptions that have guided us since ancient times

that have guided us since ancient times

that have guided us since ancient times [Music]

the greeks were the first to see natural

the greeks were the first to see natural

the greeks were the first to see natural events as phenomena subject to human

events as phenomena subject to human

events as phenomena subject to human investigation rather than the whims of

investigation rather than the whims of

investigation rather than the whims of the gods

one philosopher and sky watcher annex

one philosopher and sky watcher annex

one philosopher and sky watcher annex agaris

agaris

agaris went so far as to say that meteors

went so far as to say that meteors

went so far as to say that meteors are made of materials found on earth

and therefore might have actually come

and therefore might have actually come

and therefore might have actually come from the earth

to observers back then

to observers back then

to observers back then the world was made of four classical

the world was made of four classical

the world was made of four classical elements

elements

elements earth

earth

earth [Music]

[Music]

[Music] water

water

water air

and fire

the philosopher aristotle proposed that

the philosopher aristotle proposed that

the philosopher aristotle proposed that the realm of earth

the realm of earth

the realm of earth is fundamentally distinct from that of

is fundamentally distinct from that of

is fundamentally distinct from that of the stars

he argued that stars are made of a fifth

he argued that stars are made of a fifth

he argued that stars are made of a fifth element

element

element unchanging and incorruptible

unchanging and incorruptible

unchanging and incorruptible called quintessence

called quintessence

called quintessence or space

the realm of the stars in aristotle's

the realm of the stars in aristotle's

the realm of the stars in aristotle's view

view

view was the home of deities

was the home of deities

was the home of deities arranged in a succession of spherical

arranged in a succession of spherical

arranged in a succession of spherical regions surrounding the earth

regions surrounding the earth

regions surrounding the earth [Music]

what would happen if a warrior traveled

what would happen if a warrior traveled

what would happen if a warrior traveled to the outermost region and tossed a

to the outermost region and tossed a

to the outermost region and tossed a spear

where would it go

where would it go

where would it go [Music]

[Music]

[Music] it would not fly off on an infinite

it would not fly off on an infinite

it would not fly off on an infinite journey aristotle said

journey aristotle said

journey aristotle said rather

rather

rather it would join the motion of the stars in

it would join the motion of the stars in

it would join the motion of the stars in a crystalline sphere that encircled the

a crystalline sphere that encircled the

a crystalline sphere that encircled the earth

he assumed the universe with earth as

he assumed the universe with earth as

he assumed the universe with earth as its focus

its focus

its focus was limited in extent

was limited in extent

was limited in extent finite in size

aristotle grappled with an implicit

aristotle grappled with an implicit

aristotle grappled with an implicit challenge to this view

challenge to this view

challenge to this view that would one day transform science

nearly two centuries before the greek

nearly two centuries before the greek

nearly two centuries before the greek mathematician pythagoras and his

mathematician pythagoras and his

mathematician pythagoras and his followers began to see numerical

followers began to see numerical

followers began to see numerical relationships as the key to

relationships as the key to

relationships as the key to understanding the world around them

but in their investigation of geometric

but in their investigation of geometric

but in their investigation of geometric shapes

shapes

shapes they discovered that some important

they discovered that some important

they discovered that some important ratios could not be expressed in simple

ratios could not be expressed in simple

ratios could not be expressed in simple numbers

one is the circumference of a circle to

one is the circumference of a circle to

one is the circumference of a circle to its diameter called pi

computer scientists recently calculated

computer scientists recently calculated

computer scientists recently calculated pi to 5 trillion digits

pi to 5 trillion digits

pi to 5 trillion digits confirming what the greeks learned

confirming what the greeks learned

confirming what the greeks learned there are no repeating patterns

there are no repeating patterns

there are no repeating patterns and no ending in sight

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] the discovery of the so-called

the discovery of the so-called

the discovery of the so-called irrational numbers like pi

irrational numbers like pi

irrational numbers like pi was so disturbing

was so disturbing

was so disturbing legend has it that one member of the

legend has it that one member of the

legend has it that one member of the pythagorean cult the passes was drowned

pythagorean cult the passes was drowned

pythagorean cult the passes was drowned at sea for divulging their existence

[Music]

to aristotle

to aristotle

to aristotle the idea of infinity evoked the chaos

the idea of infinity evoked the chaos

the idea of infinity evoked the chaos from which the world emerged

a primordial state with no natural laws

a primordial state with no natural laws

a primordial state with no natural laws or limits

or limits

or limits devoid of all form and content

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] to preserve the idea that the universe

to preserve the idea that the universe

to preserve the idea that the universe has a form and limits

has a form and limits

has a form and limits aristotle crafted an historic

aristotle crafted an historic

aristotle crafted an historic distinction

on the one hand he pointed to the

on the one hand he pointed to the

on the one hand he pointed to the irrational numbers such as pi

each new calculation results in an

each new calculation results in an

each new calculation results in an additional digit

additional digit

additional digit but the final

but the final

but the final final number in the string can never be

final number in the string can never be

final number in the string can never be reached

aristotle dismissed it as potentially

aristotle dismissed it as potentially

aristotle dismissed it as potentially infinite

infinite

infinite [Music]

more important in his view was a value

more important in his view was a value

more important in his view was a value called the actually infinite

to understand it

to understand it

to understand it take a ruler and try calculating the

take a ruler and try calculating the

take a ruler and try calculating the number of subdivisions within

number of subdivisions within

number of subdivisions within subdivisions

subdivisions

subdivisions there is a final number aristotle said

there is a final number aristotle said

there is a final number aristotle said though we will never identify it

aristotle reserved that knowledge for

aristotle reserved that knowledge for

aristotle reserved that knowledge for the so-called prime mover

the so-called prime mover

the so-called prime mover the one who created the universe

the one who created the universe

the one who created the universe and operates beyond our meager

and operates beyond our meager

and operates beyond our meager capacities

this idea became the basis for the

this idea became the basis for the

this idea became the basis for the cosmological or first cause argument for

cosmological or first cause argument for

cosmological or first cause argument for the existence of god

another century later archimedes

another century later archimedes

another century later archimedes incorporated actual infinity into

incorporated actual infinity into

incorporated actual infinity into measurements of curved lines and volumes

measurements of curved lines and volumes

measurements of curved lines and volumes his method boiled down to a process of

his method boiled down to a process of

his method boiled down to a process of summation

summation

summation place a triangle inside a circle

place a triangle inside a circle

place a triangle inside a circle turn it into a square then a pentagon

turn it into a square then a pentagon

turn it into a square then a pentagon and so on

and so on

and so on as the number of sides increases to

as the number of sides increases to

as the number of sides increases to infinity their combined lengths equal

infinity their combined lengths equal

infinity their combined lengths equal the circumference of a circle

the circumference of a circle

the circumference of a circle by slicing and dicing curves into an

by slicing and dicing curves into an

by slicing and dicing curves into an infinite number of straight lines he was

infinite number of straight lines he was

infinite number of straight lines he was able to compare a variety of curves

able to compare a variety of curves

able to compare a variety of curves areas and volumes

archimedes anticipated techniques

archimedes anticipated techniques

archimedes anticipated techniques developed 2 000 years later

developed 2 000 years later

developed 2 000 years later and yet his ideas on infinity did not

and yet his ideas on infinity did not

and yet his ideas on infinity did not carry forward

instead it was aristotle's idea of a

instead it was aristotle's idea of a

instead it was aristotle's idea of a finite universe

finite universe

finite universe with earth seated firmly at the center

with earth seated firmly at the center

with earth seated firmly at the center that passed into the christian era

not everyone agreed

not everyone agreed

not everyone agreed islamic hindu and even some western

islamic hindu and even some western

islamic hindu and even some western thinkers posed alternate views that

thinkers posed alternate views that

thinkers posed alternate views that included infinite space

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] in european circles the idea of a

in european circles the idea of a

in european circles the idea of a limited universe came into question

limited universe came into question

limited universe came into question during the renaissance

in 1543 the polish astronomer nicholas

in 1543 the polish astronomer nicholas

in 1543 the polish astronomer nicholas copernicus

copernicus

copernicus argued that earth orbits the sun

not the other way around

the old greek spheres began to fall by

the old greek spheres began to fall by

the old greek spheres began to fall by the wayside when the astronomer tycho

the wayside when the astronomer tycho

the wayside when the astronomer tycho brahe spotted a supernova in 1572

then a comet

these objects seem to behave

these objects seem to behave

these objects seem to behave independently of the other stars

independently of the other stars

independently of the other stars still

still

still church leaders frowned on any attempt to

church leaders frowned on any attempt to

church leaders frowned on any attempt to extend the boundaries of the universe

extend the boundaries of the universe

extend the boundaries of the universe for that encroached on the unique

for that encroached on the unique

for that encroached on the unique province of god

that didn't stop a monk named giordano

that didn't stop a monk named giordano

that didn't stop a monk named giordano bruno who traveled europe in the height

bruno who traveled europe in the height

bruno who traveled europe in the height of the inquisition proclaiming an

of the inquisition proclaiming an

of the inquisition proclaiming an infinite universe

he was burned at the stake for this and

he was burned at the stake for this and

he was burned at the stake for this and other heresies in the year 1600

nine years later in 1609

nine years later in 1609

nine years later in 1609 galileo galilei used the first

galileo galilei used the first

galileo galilei used the first astronomical telescope to show that the

astronomical telescope to show that the

astronomical telescope to show that the solar system and the universe

solar system and the universe

solar system and the universe are much larger than we thought

galileo was forced to recant his views

galileo was forced to recant his views

galileo was forced to recant his views [Music]

[Music]

[Music] still

still

still the reality of a much larger cosmos had

the reality of a much larger cosmos had

the reality of a much larger cosmos had begun to sink in

john milton spoke for a generation of

john milton spoke for a generation of

john milton spoke for a generation of scientists and poets

scientists and poets

scientists and poets in his 17th century epic paradise lost

in his 17th century epic paradise lost

in his 17th century epic paradise lost [Music]

when i behold this goodly frame

when i behold this goodly frame

when i behold this goodly frame this world

this world

this world of heaven and earth

of heaven and earth

of heaven and earth consisting and compute their magnitudes

consisting and compute their magnitudes

consisting and compute their magnitudes this earth

this earth

this earth a spot

a spot

a spot a grain

an atom

an atom

an atom [Music]

at the end of the 19th century the

at the end of the 19th century the

at the end of the 19th century the mathematician georg cantor sought once

mathematician georg cantor sought once

mathematician georg cantor sought once and for all to take metaphysics out of

and for all to take metaphysics out of

and for all to take metaphysics out of mathematics

he became known for folding finite and

he became known for folding finite and

he became known for folding finite and infinite numbers

infinite numbers

infinite numbers into a unified theory of number sets

into a unified theory of number sets

into a unified theory of number sets considered a foundation of modern math

to show how it works

to show how it works

to show how it works his defenders conjured up this grand

his defenders conjured up this grand

his defenders conjured up this grand hotel

hotel

hotel [Music]

you arrive to find it's booked solid

you arrive to find it's booked solid

you arrive to find it's booked solid but you're in luck

but you're in luck

but you're in luck because here there is an infinite number

because here there is an infinite number

because here there is an infinite number of rooms

the manager assigns you to room number

the manager assigns you to room number

the manager assigns you to room number one

one

one and directs you down the corridor

then she goes to work

then she goes to work

then she goes to work shifting the guest in room one to room

shifting the guest in room one to room

shifting the guest in room one to room two

two

two room two to room three three to four

room two to room three three to four

room two to room three three to four and so on

so in this hotel

so in this hotel

so in this hotel there's a number set that includes an

there's a number set that includes an

there's a number set that includes an infinite number of rooms

infinite number of rooms

infinite number of rooms then there's that same set plus your

then there's that same set plus your

then there's that same set plus your room

two infinite sets

two infinite sets

two infinite sets yet one is a subset of the other

being able to use infinite sets of

being able to use infinite sets of

being able to use infinite sets of different sizes

different sizes

different sizes allowed mathematicians to design

allowed mathematicians to design

allowed mathematicians to design equations describing continuous motion

equations describing continuous motion

equations describing continuous motion and change over time

even as mathematicians embraced infinity

even as mathematicians embraced infinity

even as mathematicians embraced infinity scientists still had trouble squaring it

scientists still had trouble squaring it

scientists still had trouble squaring it with physical reality

albert einstein for one believed that if

albert einstein for one believed that if

albert einstein for one believed that if the universe had no limits

the universe had no limits

the universe had no limits then the night sky would be filled with

then the night sky would be filled with

then the night sky would be filled with dense starlight

dense starlight

dense starlight shining from every direction

weed reel from the effects of infinite

weed reel from the effects of infinite

weed reel from the effects of infinite gravity

instead much like aristotle with his

instead much like aristotle with his

instead much like aristotle with his warrior

warrior

warrior einstein believed that space was by its

einstein believed that space was by its

einstein believed that space was by its nature

nature

nature curved

parallel lines would always meet

parallel lines would always meet

parallel lines would always meet and beams of light inevitably returned

and beams of light inevitably returned

and beams of light inevitably returned to their source

as far as astronomers could see

as far as astronomers could see

as far as astronomers could see the universe had its limits

it consisted of a flat disk of stars

it consisted of a flat disk of stars

it consisted of a flat disk of stars the milky way

the milky way

the milky way and island universe in which the solar

and island universe in which the solar

and island universe in which the solar system resides

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] that view crumbled in the 1920s

edwin hubble and milt humison used the

edwin hubble and milt humison used the

edwin hubble and milt humison used the new 100-inch telescope on mount wilson

new 100-inch telescope on mount wilson

new 100-inch telescope on mount wilson in california to look at mysterious

in california to look at mysterious

in california to look at mysterious fuzzy patches of sky called nebulae

they found that some of these patches

they found that some of these patches

they found that some of these patches were galaxies like the milky way

were galaxies like the milky way

were galaxies like the milky way and very far away

what's more the farther away they are

what's more the farther away they are

what's more the farther away they are the faster they are moving away from us

this fact known as hubble's law

this fact known as hubble's law

this fact known as hubble's law led to an inescapable conclusion

that the universe began at a singular

that the universe began at a singular

that the universe began at a singular moment in time

a violent primordial event called

a violent primordial event called

a violent primordial event called the big bang

the big bang

the big bang [Music]

this view resting on four main pillars

this view resting on four main pillars

this view resting on four main pillars [Music]

[Music]

[Music] one that the universe is expanding in

one that the universe is expanding in

one that the universe is expanding in all directions

if you turned the clock back you'd see

if you turned the clock back you'd see

if you turned the clock back you'd see that everything had a common starting

that everything had a common starting

that everything had a common starting point

two

two

two it established a time frame for the

it established a time frame for the

it established a time frame for the formation of stars

formation of stars

formation of stars galaxies

galaxies

galaxies and the distribution of matter on large

and the distribution of matter on large

and the distribution of matter on large scales

[Music]

three it established a time frame for

three it established a time frame for

three it established a time frame for the chemical evolution of the universe

the chemical evolution of the universe

the chemical evolution of the universe with light elements like hydrogen

with light elements like hydrogen

with light elements like hydrogen dominating the early universe

dominating the early universe

dominating the early universe and heavier elements generated over time

and heavier elements generated over time

and heavier elements generated over time in the life and death of stars

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] finally it described the universe in its

finally it described the universe in its

finally it described the universe in its primordial state

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] in the wake of the big bang the universe

in the wake of the big bang the universe

in the wake of the big bang the universe was filled with a cloud of extremely hot

was filled with a cloud of extremely hot

was filled with a cloud of extremely hot gas that scattered all light

gas that scattered all light

gas that scattered all light as the universe cooled and the first

as the universe cooled and the first

as the universe cooled and the first atoms formed the cloud

atoms formed the cloud

atoms formed the cloud dissipated light was able to move freely

dissipated light was able to move freely

dissipated light was able to move freely about

over time as the universe expanded

over time as the universe expanded

over time as the universe expanded the spectral signature of this light

the spectral signature of this light

the spectral signature of this light would have shifted into the microwave

would have shifted into the microwave

would have shifted into the microwave portion of the electromagnetic spectrum

in one of the great accidental

in one of the great accidental

in one of the great accidental discoveries of all time

discoveries of all time

discoveries of all time a pair of physicists spotted this

a pair of physicists spotted this

a pair of physicists spotted this primordial light back in the 1960s

bell labs had built a giant horn-shaped

bell labs had built a giant horn-shaped

bell labs had built a giant horn-shaped antenna as part of a long-distance radio

antenna as part of a long-distance radio

antenna as part of a long-distance radio transmission system

transmission system

transmission system [Music]

[Music]

[Music] arno penzias and robert wilson pointed

arno penzias and robert wilson pointed

arno penzias and robert wilson pointed this contraption into space

this contraption into space

this contraption into space [Music]

wherever they aimed they picked up

wherever they aimed they picked up

wherever they aimed they picked up excessive microwave noise

excessive microwave noise

excessive microwave noise [Music]

[Music]

[Music] that noise

that noise

that noise part of the static on many old style

part of the static on many old style

part of the static on many old style televisions

televisions

televisions is the echo of the big bang

decades later the hubble space telescope

decades later the hubble space telescope

decades later the hubble space telescope launched into orbit on april 24th 1990

launched into orbit on april 24th 1990

launched into orbit on april 24th 1990 in one of the most important scientific

in one of the most important scientific

in one of the most important scientific milestones of our time

another notable launch took place five

another notable launch took place five

another notable launch took place five months earlier

months earlier

months earlier the cosmic observation background

the cosmic observation background

the cosmic observation background explorer

explorer

explorer kobe for short

it found that the microwave background

it found that the microwave background

it found that the microwave background signal in space

signal in space

signal in space contains a subtle pattern of hot and

contains a subtle pattern of hot and

contains a subtle pattern of hot and cold spots

cold spots

cold spots [Music]

later missions mapped an even more

later missions mapped an even more

later missions mapped an even more detailed pattern including this image

detailed pattern including this image

detailed pattern including this image from the european planck observatory

from the european planck observatory

from the european planck observatory if scientists can find the source of

if scientists can find the source of

if scientists can find the source of this pattern they might learn not only

this pattern they might learn not only

this pattern they might learn not only about how the universe began

about how the universe began

about how the universe began but where it's going

at the european large hadron collider

at the european large hadron collider

at the european large hadron collider they are sending protons racing in

they are sending protons racing in

they are sending protons racing in opposite directions in a circular tunnel

opposite directions in a circular tunnel

opposite directions in a circular tunnel 27 kilometers long

when these particles reach velocities

when these particles reach velocities

when these particles reach velocities just short of the speed of light

just short of the speed of light

just short of the speed of light they are sent into a violent collision

a fireball erupts reaching a temperature

a fireball erupts reaching a temperature

a fireball erupts reaching a temperature exceeding 2 trillion degrees centigrade

as far as we know the last time anything

as far as we know the last time anything

as far as we know the last time anything in our universe was that hot was about a

in our universe was that hot was about a

in our universe was that hot was about a millionth of a second after its birth

millionth of a second after its birth

millionth of a second after its birth the splatter of subatomic particles

the splatter of subatomic particles

the splatter of subatomic particles forms a super hot soup of corks and

forms a super hot soup of corks and

forms a super hot soup of corks and gluons

the thinking is that a primordial energy

the thinking is that a primordial energy

the thinking is that a primordial energy field that spawned the big bang was

field that spawned the big bang was

field that spawned the big bang was patterned with tiny fluctuations

these fluctuations generated pressure

these fluctuations generated pressure

these fluctuations generated pressure waves or ripples

waves or ripples

waves or ripples that passed through the ultra dense cork

that passed through the ultra dense cork

that passed through the ultra dense cork gluon mix

gluon mix

gluon mix as the universe expanded

as the universe expanded

as the universe expanded these ripples would have been imprinted

these ripples would have been imprinted

these ripples would have been imprinted on the distribution of matter

on the distribution of matter

on the distribution of matter on the largest of scales

to test this idea astronomers set out to

to test this idea astronomers set out to

to test this idea astronomers set out to literally map the universe in three

literally map the universe in three

literally map the universe in three dimensions

in an age of computer-controlled

in an age of computer-controlled

in an age of computer-controlled telescopes and automated observing

telescopes and automated observing

telescopes and automated observing astronomers targeted a large fraction of

astronomers targeted a large fraction of

astronomers targeted a large fraction of the sky

the sloan digital sky survey in the

the sloan digital sky survey in the

the sloan digital sky survey in the mountains of new mexico set the standard

mountains of new mexico set the standard

mountains of new mexico set the standard for large-scale cosmic cartography

a series of steel plates are drilled

a series of steel plates are drilled

a series of steel plates are drilled with holes that exactly match the

with holes that exactly match the

with holes that exactly match the locations of galaxies in the night sky

after plugging fiber optic sensors into

after plugging fiber optic sensors into

after plugging fiber optic sensors into the holes

the holes

the holes the plates are loaded into the telescope

it then captures the light of hundreds

it then captures the light of hundreds

it then captures the light of hundreds of galaxies per night

of galaxies per night

of galaxies per night gathering information about their

gathering information about their

gathering information about their brightness and distance from earth

brightness and distance from earth

brightness and distance from earth from this data astronomers are

from this data astronomers are

from this data astronomers are assembling a whole new cosmic atlas in

assembling a whole new cosmic atlas in

assembling a whole new cosmic atlas in three dimensions

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] traveling out into the data

traveling out into the data

traveling out into the data we pass beyond our remote corner of the

we pass beyond our remote corner of the

we pass beyond our remote corner of the milky way

we enter a collection of 20 odd galaxies

we enter a collection of 20 odd galaxies

we enter a collection of 20 odd galaxies known as the local group

known as the local group

known as the local group our cosmic neighborhood

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] our path takes us some 50 million light

our path takes us some 50 million light

our path takes us some 50 million light years away to the densely packed virgo

years away to the densely packed virgo

years away to the densely packed virgo supercluster

supercluster

supercluster the nearest intergalactic city

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] beyond virgo galaxies line up in walls

beyond virgo galaxies line up in walls

beyond virgo galaxies line up in walls and arcs

bounded by vast empty voids

the goal in ever larger survey projects

the goal in ever larger survey projects

the goal in ever larger survey projects is to trace the evolution of these

is to trace the evolution of these

is to trace the evolution of these structures all the way back to their

structures all the way back to their

structures all the way back to their beginnings

looking north the sloan digital sky

looking north the sloan digital sky

looking north the sloan digital sky survey has mapped galaxies out to

survey has mapped galaxies out to

survey has mapped galaxies out to one-third the distance to our visible

one-third the distance to our visible

one-third the distance to our visible horizon

astronomers are now leaping beyond that

astronomers are now leaping beyond that

astronomers are now leaping beyond that with projects based in the mountains of

with projects based in the mountains of

with projects based in the mountains of chile

chile

chile [Music]

[Music]

[Music] the dark energy survey uses one of the

the dark energy survey uses one of the

the dark energy survey uses one of the largest cameras in the world to divide

largest cameras in the world to divide

largest cameras in the world to divide the field of view into 62 high

the field of view into 62 high

the field of view into 62 high resolution detectors

each one captures countless thousands of

each one captures countless thousands of

each one captures countless thousands of celestial objects extending halfway

celestial objects extending halfway

celestial objects extending halfway across the visible universe

night after night month after month

night after night month after month

night after night month after month the exposures pile up across a survey

the exposures pile up across a survey

the exposures pile up across a survey area that covers a quarter of the

area that covers a quarter of the

area that covers a quarter of the southern sky or an eighth of the entire

southern sky or an eighth of the entire

southern sky or an eighth of the entire sky as seen from earth

the reuben telescope on a nearby

the reuben telescope on a nearby

the reuben telescope on a nearby mountain

mountain

mountain expands that to one half the sky seen

expands that to one half the sky seen

expands that to one half the sky seen from earth

how far we can see into the deep

how far we can see into the deep

how far we can see into the deep universe is determined by the speed of

universe is determined by the speed of

universe is determined by the speed of light

light

light how far the light of distant objects

how far the light of distant objects

how far the light of distant objects would have traveled since the big bang

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] using hubble and other modern telescopes

using hubble and other modern telescopes

using hubble and other modern telescopes astronomers have placed that time at

astronomers have placed that time at

astronomers have placed that time at 13.7

13.7

13.7 billion years ago

taking into account the expansion of

taking into account the expansion of

taking into account the expansion of space ever since

space ever since

space ever since the radius of the visible universe our

the radius of the visible universe our

the radius of the visible universe our visible horizon

visible horizon

visible horizon extends out to 46 billion light years

extends out to 46 billion light years

extends out to 46 billion light years from earth

if you look in opposite directions the

if you look in opposite directions the

if you look in opposite directions the most distant galaxies discovered by the

most distant galaxies discovered by the

most distant galaxies discovered by the hubble space telescope are actually 92

hubble space telescope are actually 92

hubble space telescope are actually 92 billion light years from each other

billion light years from each other

billion light years from each other the horizons of those galaxies would

the horizons of those galaxies would

the horizons of those galaxies would stretch to 138 billion light years from

stretch to 138 billion light years from

stretch to 138 billion light years from earth

where does it end

where does it end

where does it end [Music]

[Music]

[Music] in fact

in fact

in fact our 92 billion light year wide patch the

our 92 billion light year wide patch the

our 92 billion light year wide patch the visible universe

visible universe

visible universe may be a mere speck within the universe

may be a mere speck within the universe

may be a mere speck within the universe as a whole

that's the conclusion of a dramatic new

that's the conclusion of a dramatic new

that's the conclusion of a dramatic new theory designed to address questions

theory designed to address questions

theory designed to address questions about the nature of the big bang

one

one

one how did the universe get so large so

how did the universe get so large so

how did the universe get so large so quickly

quickly

quickly [Music]

[Music]

[Music] and two how did it get so smooth

in every direction you look

in every direction you look

in every direction you look the density of galaxies is the same on

the density of galaxies is the same on

the density of galaxies is the same on large scales

whatever process flung the universe

whatever process flung the universe

whatever process flung the universe outward must have somehow blended it in

outward must have somehow blended it in

outward must have somehow blended it in its earliest moments

the new theory called inflation

the new theory called inflation

the new theory called inflation is based on the discovery that space is

is based on the discovery that space is

is based on the discovery that space is not as scientists once thought

not as scientists once thought

not as scientists once thought just the absence of matter

just the absence of matter

just the absence of matter [Music]

[Music]

[Music] it is actually seething with energy in

it is actually seething with energy in

it is actually seething with energy in the form of particles of opposite charge

the form of particles of opposite charge

the form of particles of opposite charge matter

matter

matter and antimatter

and antimatter

and antimatter [Music]

[Music]

[Music] back in the 1980s the physicist alan

back in the 1980s the physicist alan

back in the 1980s the physicist alan guth proposed that in primordial times

guth proposed that in primordial times

guth proposed that in primordial times an energy field embedded in the vacuum

an energy field embedded in the vacuum

an energy field embedded in the vacuum of space

of space

of space suddenly tipped into a higher energy

suddenly tipped into a higher energy

suddenly tipped into a higher energy state

causing space and time to literally

causing space and time to literally

causing space and time to literally inflate

and our universe to burst forth

[Music]

the universe went from atomic size to

the universe went from atomic size to

the universe went from atomic size to cosmological size within an

cosmological size within an

cosmological size within an infinitesimally short time

infinitesimally short time

infinitesimally short time as a result

as a result

as a result according to guth's calculation

according to guth's calculation

according to guth's calculation the universe as a whole would have grown

the universe as a whole would have grown

the universe as a whole would have grown to some 10 billion trillion times the

to some 10 billion trillion times the

to some 10 billion trillion times the size of the observable universe

that's a 10 followed by 24 zeros

that's a 10 followed by 24 zeros

that's a 10 followed by 24 zeros [Music]

put another way

put another way

put another way an atom

an atom

an atom is to the observable universe

as the observable universe

as the observable universe

as the observable universe is to the whole universe

is to the whole universe

is to the whole universe [Music]

[Music]

the fury of cosmic inflation helps

the fury of cosmic inflation helps

the fury of cosmic inflation helps explain the immense size and smoothness

explain the immense size and smoothness

explain the immense size and smoothness of the cosmos

but this basic theory still does not get

but this basic theory still does not get

but this basic theory still does not get us beyond the idea held by thinkers from

us beyond the idea held by thinkers from

us beyond the idea held by thinkers from aristotle to einstein

aristotle to einstein

aristotle to einstein that the universe is closed finite in

that the universe is closed finite in

that the universe is closed finite in size

size

size even if mind-bogglingly large

recent versions of inflationary theory

recent versions of inflationary theory

recent versions of inflationary theory have begun to force concepts of infinity

have begun to force concepts of infinity

have begun to force concepts of infinity back into our popular cosmology

back into our popular cosmology

back into our popular cosmology [Music]

astronomers have known for decades that

astronomers have known for decades that

astronomers have known for decades that the amount of matter observed in distant

the amount of matter observed in distant

the amount of matter observed in distant galaxies

galaxies

galaxies does not supply enough gravity to hold

does not supply enough gravity to hold

does not supply enough gravity to hold these spinning structures together

there is a missing ingredient that we

there is a missing ingredient that we

there is a missing ingredient that we just do not see

just do not see

just do not see its identity still unknown

its identity still unknown

its identity still unknown scientists call it dark matter

by adding dark matter into supercomputer

by adding dark matter into supercomputer

by adding dark matter into supercomputer simulations of cosmic evolution

simulations of cosmic evolution

simulations of cosmic evolution scientists have been able to recreate

scientists have been able to recreate

scientists have been able to recreate the gravitational fields needed to form

the gravitational fields needed to form

the gravitational fields needed to form the large scale structures we observe

the large scale structures we observe

the large scale structures we observe [Music]

astronomers wanted to know

astronomers wanted to know

astronomers wanted to know is the gravity of dark matter enough to

is the gravity of dark matter enough to

is the gravity of dark matter enough to one day slow the cosmic expansion to a

one day slow the cosmic expansion to a

one day slow the cosmic expansion to a stop

to answer this question they sought to

to answer this question they sought to

to answer this question they sought to refine their measurements of cosmic

refine their measurements of cosmic

refine their measurements of cosmic expansion by using a new type of

expansion by using a new type of

expansion by using a new type of distance marker

called a type 1a supernova

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] it emerges from the charred remains of a

it emerges from the charred remains of a

it emerges from the charred remains of a sun-like star called a white dwarf

if this star takes on mass by drawing it

if this star takes on mass by drawing it

if this star takes on mass by drawing it from another star

from another star

from another star it may grow to a critical threshold

it may grow to a critical threshold

it may grow to a critical threshold and explode

and explode

[Music]

type 1a supernovae are thought to shine

type 1a supernovae are thought to shine

type 1a supernovae are thought to shine at uniform intensities throughout the

at uniform intensities throughout the

at uniform intensities throughout the universe

universe

universe so if astronomers measure differences in

so if astronomers measure differences in

so if astronomers measure differences in their brightness at varying distances

their brightness at varying distances

their brightness at varying distances that could indicate a change in the

that could indicate a change in the

that could indicate a change in the cosmic expansion rate over time

to their surprise

to their surprise

to their surprise the data showed that the universe as a

the data showed that the universe as a

the data showed that the universe as a whole is not only expanding

whole is not only expanding

whole is not only expanding it's actually accelerating outward

the culprit is thought to be energy

the culprit is thought to be energy

the culprit is thought to be energy welling up in minute quantities from the

welling up in minute quantities from the

welling up in minute quantities from the vacuum of space

as the universe expands

as the universe expands

as the universe expands the force exerted by these particles

the force exerted by these particles

the force exerted by these particles increases over time

increases over time

increases over time enough to push space outward across the

enough to push space outward across the

enough to push space outward across the whole universe

this so-called dark energy

this so-called dark energy

this so-called dark energy now amounts to an astonishing

now amounts to an astonishing

now amounts to an astonishing three-fourths of all the matter and

three-fourths of all the matter and

three-fourths of all the matter and energy in the universe

if it's similar to what drove inflation

if it's similar to what drove inflation

if it's similar to what drove inflation in the early moments of the big bang

in the early moments of the big bang

in the early moments of the big bang then our universe may exist in a far

then our universe may exist in a far

then our universe may exist in a far broader cosmic context than we've

broader cosmic context than we've

broader cosmic context than we've imagined

there is a version of inflationary

there is a version of inflationary

there is a version of inflationary theory that suggests we live in one of

theory that suggests we live in one of

theory that suggests we live in one of many universes

many universes

many universes that emerged and coexist side by side

that emerged and coexist side by side

that emerged and coexist side by side like bubbles continually rising up from

like bubbles continually rising up from

like bubbles continually rising up from an infinitely vast quantum vacuum

are expanding throughout an endless

are expanding throughout an endless

are expanding throughout an endless ocean of space and time

a related idea theorizes a cosmic

a related idea theorizes a cosmic

a related idea theorizes a cosmic landscape unfolding in vast fractal

landscape unfolding in vast fractal

landscape unfolding in vast fractal patterns

from this new perspective

from this new perspective

from this new perspective our universe however we define it is

our universe however we define it is

our universe however we define it is incomprehensibly small

as if that's not mind-boggling enough

yet another version of inflation appends

yet another version of inflation appends

yet another version of inflation appends our entire conception of time and space

our entire conception of time and space

our entire conception of time and space astronomers at the rubin and other

astronomers at the rubin and other

astronomers at the rubin and other observatories will be scanning the

observatories will be scanning the

observatories will be scanning the heavens for a breed of black holes that

heavens for a breed of black holes that

heavens for a breed of black holes that would have been born moments after the

would have been born moments after the

would have been born moments after the universe burst forth

some might have sown the seeds of the

some might have sown the seeds of the

some might have sown the seeds of the first galaxies growing over time to

first galaxies growing over time to

first galaxies growing over time to millions even billions of times the mass

millions even billions of times the mass

millions even billions of times the mass of the sun

others

others

others far more numerous

far more numerous

far more numerous and as small as the moon

and as small as the moon

and as small as the moon were left to roam the cosmos

were left to roam the cosmos

were left to roam the cosmos moving silently amid the luminous dust

moving silently amid the luminous dust

moving silently amid the luminous dust lanes and glowing stars of galaxies like

lanes and glowing stars of galaxies like

lanes and glowing stars of galaxies like ours

the idea is to scan billions of stars in

the idea is to scan billions of stars in

the idea is to scan billions of stars in the milky way and other galaxies

if a black hole passes through our line

if a black hole passes through our line

if a black hole passes through our line of sight

of sight

of sight a star behind it will dim then brighten

the discovery of these objects would

the discovery of these objects would

the discovery of these objects would lend insight into one of inflation's

lend insight into one of inflation's

lend insight into one of inflation's wilder predictions

that in the ultra dense conditions of

that in the ultra dense conditions of

that in the ultra dense conditions of early times

early times

early times more than one universe would have

more than one universe would have

more than one universe would have inflated

perhaps within one of those primordial

perhaps within one of those primordial

perhaps within one of those primordial black holes

from our vantage point on the outside

from our vantage point on the outside

from our vantage point on the outside these objects would appear simply as

these objects would appear simply as

these objects would appear simply as black holes

if you could go inside

if you could go inside

if you could go inside a baby universe would appear to be

a baby universe would appear to be

a baby universe would appear to be expanding outward much like our own

expanding outward much like our own

expanding outward much like our own [Music]

in galileo's time most sky watchers saw

in galileo's time most sky watchers saw

in galileo's time most sky watchers saw the universe as an assemblage of stars

the universe as an assemblage of stars

the universe as an assemblage of stars that surrounded the earth in relatively

that surrounded the earth in relatively

that surrounded the earth in relatively close proximity

he showed instead that stars are far

he showed instead that stars are far

he showed instead that stars are far removed from our planet

imagine how galileo would have reacted

imagine how galileo would have reacted

imagine how galileo would have reacted to this image of earth

to this image of earth

to this image of earth captured in the year 1979 by the

captured in the year 1979 by the

captured in the year 1979 by the spacecraft voyager 2

spacecraft voyager 2

spacecraft voyager 2 as it passed by neptune

as it passed by neptune

as it passed by neptune [Music]

[Music]

[Music] since galileo's time our earth has gone

since galileo's time our earth has gone

since galileo's time our earth has gone from the center of all things

from the center of all things

from the center of all things to a pale blue dot

to a pale blue dot

to a pale blue dot lost in the vastness of space

we now know it is set within a universe

we now know it is set within a universe

we now know it is set within a universe of galaxies

clusters of

clusters of

clusters of [Music]

galaxies and beyond them

galaxies and beyond them

galaxies and beyond them vast luminous walls and filaments of

vast luminous walls and filaments of

vast luminous walls and filaments of matter

matter

matter [Music]

today's ideas about the size of the

today's ideas about the size of the

today's ideas about the size of the universe amount to a quantum leap in our

universe amount to a quantum leap in our

universe amount to a quantum leap in our sense of scale

sense of scale

sense of scale [Music]

[Music]

[Music] by extending these structures far far

by extending these structures far far

by extending these structures far far beyond our horizon

beyond our horizon

beyond our horizon perhaps touching on the infinite

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music] do our discoveries push us

do our discoveries push us

do our discoveries push us on this tiny out of the way planet

on this tiny out of the way planet

on this tiny out of the way planet into an ever smaller corner of creation

into an ever smaller corner of creation

into an ever smaller corner of creation [Music]

or

or

or does our ability to comprehend

does our ability to comprehend

does our ability to comprehend and imagine

and imagine

and imagine the far limits of time and space

the far limits of time and space

the far limits of time and space somehow expand our importance

in the grand scheme of things

in the grand scheme of things

in the grand scheme of things [Music]

[Music]

[Music]

foreign

[Music]

you