Museum of Science and Industry

Cosmologists believe that dark matter (which cannot be observed directly, but has gravitational effects on visible matter) accounts for most of the universe, while dark energy is thought to be the main reason that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. The concept is linked to the Big Bang theory, the idea that the universe has expanded from a hot, dense fireball about 13 billion years ago, and continues to expand to this day.

At the drop-in event on 21 June there will be a series of interactive displays, where you can design your own universe, simulate how dark energy rips it apart and how dark matter bends light. The event is part of an outreach educational programme led by Dr Trotta to encourage school children and their families to learn about the work of cosmologists.

Dr Trotta is a researcher in theoretical cosmology at Oxford University's Astrophyics Department.

He said: "Many people are fascinated and intrigued by the questions raised by modern cosmology and fundamental physics, and I think it's a duty for scientists to explain in the simplest possible terms the meaning and aim of their work. We use interactive displays to help to show in a fun way the main ingredients of the universe, how it works, and how dark matter and dark energy affects it. You'll be able to get your picture taken, and using simulation you can see how dark matter affects the image."

Dr Trotta takes his interactive displays to a variety of schools and visitor attractions to help demonstrate his research about the properties of dark matter and dark energy, as well as other constituents of the Universe.

Teachers interested in Dr Trotta's work with schools can find out more at http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk/~rxt/html/public.htm

The Dark Side of the Universe, with Dr Roberto Trotta is part of the Meet the Scientist programme and will be held on Saturday 21 June at 10:30am until 3.30pm on the Second Floor Balcony in the Main Building. Drop-In Session.

Space image courtesy of STScl/NASA (www.hubblesite.org)

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