Gravity conference delves into the geometric foundations of the universe

On 17-21 June 2019 University of Tartu, Institute of Physics will host the 2nd international conference "Geometric Foundations of Gravity", attended by over 60 theoretical physicists and mathematicians from 20 countries.

Einstein's general relativity, which mathematicallly describes the force of gravity by spacetime curvature, explains well many astronomical phenomena, and has recenty acquired remarkable confirmation by the observations of gravitational waves as well as the black hole image. Yet, the unresolved problems of dark matter and dark energy raise the possibility that general relativity is just a limiting case of a more broad theory, that engenders significant effects only on the behaviour of the universe at very large scales. "Fitting together the standard models of particle physics, cosmology, and gravity for a comprehensive description of the universe does not give a fully consistent picture. This motivates the researchers to revisit the geometric foundations and systematically consider all possible alternatives in the formulation of the theory," explains the topic UT IP senior research fellow in theoretical physics Manuel Hohmann, one of the conference organizers.

The conference is run by the UT IP Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, and it is a part of the activities of the Center of Excellence "The Dark Side of the Universe", supported by the European Regional Development Fund. The invited speakers of the conference include Professors Fawad Hassan (Stockholm), Lavinia Heisenberg (ETH Zürich), Jutta Kunz (Oldenburg) and Derek Wise (Concordia, St. Paul). "Tartu has become and internationally recognized hub of gravity theory and it is a pleasure to see that after two years many seasoned experts as well as young researchers in the field have found a possibility to delve with us into the puzzles of universe," rejoices the UTIP assistant director Laur Järv, also a conference organizer.

On the popular level the gravity related topics are explained at a public lecture on Tuesday, 18 June at 6 p.m. at Tartu Old Observatory (on Toomemägi). Professor Lavinia Heisenberg will speak in English under the title "Our Dark Universe".

More details are available on the conference webpage.

Additional information:
Laur Järv
senior research fellow, assistant director
Institute of Physics
University of Tartu,
+37253416324
laur.jarv@ut.ee