The Allure of the Multiverse: Beyond the Limits of Direct Observation

On Wednesday, Apr. 17th, 2024 at 7 pm (PDT), Dr. Paul Halpern (St. Joesph’s University) will give a free, illustrated, non-technical lecture entitled:

“The Allure of the Multiverse: Beyond the Limits of Direct Observation"

Livestreamed on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SVAstronomyLectures
[if you go to this web address the evening of the talk you will see and be able to participate in the live event]

This virtual talk is part of the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series (through Foothill College), now in its 24th year.

Given that the extent of the observable universe has yet to be mapped out, some might wonder why some physicists have introduced the concept of a multiverse into their models.  This talk will examine why some eminent physicists, such as the late Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg, have been attracted to the idea of the multiverse, and others, such as Princeton cosmologist Paul Steinhardt, have raised significant concerns.  We’ll also show that the cultural (think Marvel movies) and scientific ideas of multiverses differ significantly.

Paul Halpern is Professor of Physics at Saint Joseph’s University and the author of eighteen popular science books. The recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, and an Athenaeum Literary Award, he has appeared on numerous radio and television shows including "Future Quest," "Science Friday," "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special," and C-SPAN's "BookTV."  His most recent book is “The Allure of the Multiverse: Extra Dimensions, Other Worlds, and Parallel Universes,” just published by Basic Books.

The lecture is co-sponsored by:

• The Foothill College Science, Tech, Engineering & Math Division
• The SETI Institute
• The Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

Past lectures in the series can also be found on YouTube at: http://youtube.com/svastronomylectures and as audio podcasts at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1805595