The question of the size of the Universe: from the nature of gravity to the mysterious forms of matter and energy (in italian)

Is the Universe finite or infinite? What is the relationship between its size and the nature of its matter and energy content? Is there a way to measure the size of the Universe? None of these questions has yet been definitively answered, but attempting to find such answers will lead us to retrace the development of modern cosmology from the discovery of the expansion of the Universe over a hundred years ago, and from the birth of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, right up to the recent discovery of "dark energy" and gravitational waves, via the concept of cosmological inflation. Finally, we will take a look at the near future and the revolution currently underway in gravitational wave astrophysics.

After studying in Milan, Durham, Garching and Seattle, Lucio Mayer pursued his academic career at the University of Zurich, where he was appointed full professor. He served as director of the Institute of Computational Science at the same university and subsequently established, as its first director, the Department of Astrophysics. His research ranges from the formation of galaxies, stars and planets to the astrophysics of gravitational waves, with a particular focus on supercomputer simulations. He is active in various international committees and collaborations.

The conference will be held in Italian.