Speaker
Dr
Adam Amara
(ETH Zurich)
Description
Gravitational lensing, which occurs when the light from distant objects is bent as it
passes by matter, is a uniquely powerful tool in astronomy. It allows us to make
direct measurements of the unseen components of the Universe, including dark
matter and dark energy, which dominate the Universe around us but are not
understood. Explaining these two dark components remains one of the key
unresolved issues in fundamental physics today. This lecture will introduce the basic
physical principles of gravitational lensing and show how it can be used on
cosmological scales to measure the properties of dark matter and dark energy. The
focus will be on a gravitational lensing technique known as 'cosmic shear', which has
allowed us to map the three-dimensional distribution of the dark matter around us.
In addition to its potentials in exploring dark matter and dark energy, the utility of
gravitational lensing extends well beyond cosmology. It can be used to measure the
detailed dynamics of stars, as well as detecting large populations of Earth-like planets
outside our solar system. We will conclude by discussing how on-going and future
experiments in cosmic shear will continue to give us unprecedented insights into the
inner workings and evolutionary history of the Universe.
Primary author
Dr
Adam Amara
(ETH Zurich)