Speaker:
Nick White, GSFC.

Title:
The NASA Beyond Einstein Program

Abstract:
The NASA Beyond Einstein program addresses the three most pressing questions about our Universe: What is dark energy, the force speeding the universe's expansion? What happens at the edge of a black hole? What powered the Big Bang? We are developing a series of space-based missions that will address these questions directly. The journey begins with two observatories now in formulation called Constellation-X and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), which will probe space through the detection of X rays and gravitational radiation, respectively. Complementing them will be three smaller, focused missions to study black holes, the Big Bang, and dark energy. The scientific and technological advances gained along the way will lead us to the ultimate goal of two bold Einstein Vision missions that will image a black hole and the Big Bang itself. We call this multi-mission endeavor/ "/Beyond Einstein," because it should generate discoveries that will lead to a better understanding of fundamental physics beyond the theories that Einstein, his colleagues, and their predecessors developed.

Host:
Loren Acton