Higgs: The Theory, The Discovery, and The Fate of The Universe

2012 was a big year in high energy physics. At CERN scientists presented findings for the long sought after Higgs particle to the entire physics community, and these 2012 findings were further confirmed with new data in March 2013. The discovery of the Higgs boson could be considered one of the greatest collaborative achievements of in history. 

Two physicists, Maria Spiropulu, Ph.D., an experimental physicist from CERN, and JoAnne Hewett, Ph.D., a theoretical physicist from Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC), will offer a discussion about the prodigious and startling theoretical leaps and the epic experimental program that produced this monumental discovery.

Part of the Exploratorium's adults-only Thursday evening hours, the 7:30pm lecture is included with museum admission, and will have limited seating. In the discussion Spiropulu and Hewett will also explore the implications of what they found for future directions in physics. Beyond shedding light on the way elementary particles acquire mass, understanding the Higgs mechanism will likely push the frontiers of fundamental science towards a greater understanding of our Universe.