J Richard Gott

The Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton is proud to present J. Richard Gott for a discussion of The Cosmic Web – Mysterious Architecture of the Universe on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 7:30 pm in Peyton Hall,
Princeton University.

Professor Gott is noted for his contributions to cosmology and general relativity. He has received the Robert J. Trumpler Award, an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, the Astronomical League Award, and Princeton’s President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching. Gott is also the author of the popular book: Time Travel in Einstein’s Universe, which was selected by Booklist as one of four “Editors’ Choice” science books for 2001.

He discovered exact solutions to Einstein’s field equations for the gravitational field around one cosmic string (in 1985) and two moving cosmic strings (in 1991). This second solution has been of particular interest because, if the strings move at nearly the speed of light, time travel to the past can occur. His paper with Li-Xin Li, “Can the Universe Create Itself?” explores the idea of how the laws of physics may permit the universe to be its own mother.

Drawing on Gott’s own experiences working at the frontiers of science with many of today’s leading cosmologists, The Cosmic Web shows how ambitious telescope surveys such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey are transforming our understanding of the cosmos, and how the cosmic web holds vital clues to the origins of the universe and the next trillion years.

The Cosmic Web will be on sale (credit cards accepted) after the presentation, and Professor Gott will sign them. Rich Gott is renowned for his entertaining, insightful, expert talks. This will be a night to remember. For additional information write:
program@princetonastronomy.org