Talk: "Faster than the Speed of Light" by Miguel Alcuibierre

• Event Date: Thursday, March 3, 2016
• Time: 7:00 pm (CST)
• Location: Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL
• Cost: Free Admission

• Talk

A short introduction will be given to some of the basic concepts of Einstein’s special theory of relativity, which is at the basis of all of modern physics. In particular, Alcubierre will concentrate on the concept of causality, and why causality implies than nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in vacuum. He will later discuss some of the basic ideas behind Einstein’s other great theory, General Relativity, which is the modern theory of gravity and postulates that the geometry space-time is dynamic and the presence of large concentrations of mass and energy produce a “curvature” in space-time. He will then talk about how the curvature of space-time can be used in several ways to travel “faster than the speed of light” by distorting the geometry away from that of flat space. In particular, Alcubierre will discuss the ideas behind the geometric model for a “warp drive”.

Additionally, the Museum will offer extended hours by remaining open continuously from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm.

This NCSA event is presented in conjunction with the "NCSA 30th Anniversary" Exhibit which is on display through July 2016.