Human’s view on the origin of the universe changed drastically when Albert Einstein’s
theory of general relativity provided a totally new understanding of space, time and
gravity. Today, atoms and molecules that make up everything we can see constitute
only 4% of all the energy-matter in our universe. The mystery of our universe remains to
be unfolded. Since its first appearance a century ago, the cosmological constant, a term
invented by Einstein for his epoch-making gravitational equation in general relativity,
has emerged as the biggest scientific issue facing the mankind at the beginning of the
21st century. By now, it is well established that there is a super-massive black hole in
the center of our galaxy, yet properties of black holes remain puzzling. The search of
a consistent quantum gravity theory has led to string theory, which poses some deep
questions of its own. Observational data plays a key role in enhancing our knowledge
of our universe, allowing us to describe the earliest instant when the universe was
created. The inflationary universe, dark matter, dark energy, black holes and the
structure of matter are topics under intense study, Now is the golden age of cosmology,
particle physics and relativity.
To address the latest scientific developments on the issue of the expanding universe
and its associated puzzles, the Institute for Advanced Study of the Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology (HKUST IAS) in cooperation with swissnex China
are hosting a 3-day international conference on "Cosmology Since Einstein" from 30
May – 1 June 2011. The Conference is one of the core programs of Einstein in Hong
Kong Apr - Aug 2011 as well as a satellite program in celebration of HKUST’s 20th
anniversary.
Speakers include world renowned cosmologists and relativists from China, Japan,
France, Switzerland, U.K. and U.S. The Conference will be one of the most exciting
events in cosmology in this part of the world.
