Events at the Globe of Science and Innovation

CERN is organising a series of lectures based on the exhibition

A des années lumière?

Tuesday 21 November, 8.00 p.m. (in French)
The shape of space, from black holes to the crumpled universe
Jean-Pierre Luminet, Research Director at the CNRS

Black holes, the shape of the universe, the structure of space-time... Describing the shape of space has always involved a myriad of geometric models, each one with its own underlying physics theory. Observing space-time distortion, the result of gravitational and quantum waves, is one of the great challenges of fundamental physics in the 21st century. The lecture will be accompanied by spectacular computer-simulated animations.

Thursday 30 November, 8.00 p.m. (in French)
Beyond space and time
Marc Lachièze-Rey, Research Director at CNRS

What is our world really like? Why is it the way it is? Is space finite or infinite? Is matter really made of particles? Is physics capable of describing this world?

All these questions are interrelated. To what extent are the concepts of the infinitely large and the infinitesimally small contradictory? Are quantum physics and relativity incompatible? Do we need to invent new and extraordinary types of geometry to describe what we have yet to understand about our universe? Are we living in a 10-dimensional world?

Lectures for the general public
By reservation only: + 41 (0)22 767 76 76

Information on future meetings :

Thursday 7 December, 8.00 p.m. (in French)
A look at Einstein and physics from the different perspectives of a physicist and an illustrator
John Ellis, CERN physicist, and Fiami, author of the comic book 'The Lives of Einstein'