Recent discoveries about the universe and its evolution will be the topic of "The Big Bang," a live show at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder's Fiske Planetarium on Friday, Feb. 16, and Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder Professor Andrew Hamilton will take the planetarium audience on a trip back in time to learn about the "big bang" and how the Milky Way and its stars were formed. The term big bang refers to the theory that the universe began at a single point in space and has been expanding ever since.
During the show, Hamilton will delve into the universe's most puzzling riddles, some, which have only recently been unlocked by scientists.
"There has been a revolution in cosmology in the last three years," Hamilton said. Cosmology is the study of the form, content, organization and evolution of the universe.
"For example, the audience will learn that the universe is accelerating and what that means, and that it is geometrically flat," Hamilton said, adding that such conclusions couldn't be drawn three years ago.
Hamilton also will show and explain the latest observations of supernovae, the cosmic microwave background and galaxies.
He explained that the cosmic microwave background is the radiation left over from when the universe was just a primeval fireball before expanding into its present form. The latest observations of the background revealed that the universe is indeed geometrically flat.
Hamilton's current research focuses on the large-scale structure of the universe.
Fiske Planetarium's monthly live shows give the audience a chance to talk to numerous experts from ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder.
Tickets go on sale at 7 p.m. the night of the show and are $4 for adults and $3 for seniors and children.
Fiske Planetarium is located at Regent Drive and Kittredge Loop Drive on the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥-Boulder campus. For information on upcoming planetarium shows or other programs call (303) 492-5001 or visit the planetarium's Web site at .