The invisible universe, from supernova to black holes – with Matthew Bothwell

How different does the invisible Universe look from the home we thought we knew? What does the cosmos have in store for us beyond the phenomena we can see, from black holes to supernovas?

Since the dawn of our species, people all over the world have gazed in awe at the night sky. But we can only see a tiny fraction of the Universe.

Join Matthew Bothwell as he asks what the cosmos has in store for us beyond the phenomena we can see, from black holes to supernovas? And how different does the invisible Universe look from the home we thought we knew?

Matthew Bothwell is an astronomer and science communicator based at the Institute of Astronomy and the Kavli Institute for Cosmology at the University of Cambridge.Matthew recieved his PhD from the University of Cambridge, working with Prof. Rob Kennicutt and Dr. Scott Chapman. Before taking up science communication, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, and the Astrophysics group at the University of Cambridge.

This talk was recorded on 15 November 2021

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[robertmeyer]

I'm undereducated and certainly have never studied Astronomy, so this lecture by Mr. Bothwell is mind-boggling. At 84, my curiosity has been awakened! Thank you so very much to The Royal Institution and Matthew Bothwell. KUDOS!!

[get]

Outstanding, one of the best lectures I have ever seen. Entire presentation is organized around spectacular images. A+

[gardenladyjimenez]

One of the BEST lectures I have seen anywhere. He covers an enormous breadth of information, but with clear explanations, connections, descriptions and photos. He never "dumbs it down." One can be a very clever scientist but be unable to explain to regular people how you know what you know. Dr. Bothwell is an example of the distinct and AMAZING talent a scientist needs to communicate his knowledge. Amazon reviews of "The Invisibile Universe" say it so much better - TERRIFIC. I look forward to his book.

[christophercharles]

Thank you, Matthew Bothwell & Royal Institution, for a fantastic lecture! As someone who has long been interested in astronomy and felt that I'd exhausted what YouTube could show me, these lectures - and this one in particular - is a wonderful surprise. Presented for the layman to understand but with as much information as one can absorb - you can really come away feeling you've learned something. Great presentation too.

[gustavomoretto]

Wow! Great lecture. How clear and cohesive his discourse is... He moves really fast through the topics he presents yet it remains amazingly clear throughout. Great job!

[davidrobinson]

I cannot express my level of adminiration for this lecture. In over 60 I have seen as high quality ĺecture. It has literally created a new area of fascination for me. I humbly thank all who made the presentation available

[exoyt]

Such a great speaker, no umhs or ahs every sentence, and just a very smooth and well stuctered presentation. his love and respect for the RI really shines through and shows.

[davecarsley]

The piano analogy was brilliant. It's one of those visual things a great teacher can show you that -- even though you've known the underlying _fact_ your whole life -- makes you finally, in an instant, actually "get it".

[mikelouis]

As always, watching one of your videos does not leave me regretting the time I spent watching it. Thank you.

[ishanr]

Great talk, the presenter did very well. I wish someone had have helped when he couldn't get the thermal camera linked to his laptop properly- he was a bit on his own. Good to see "live" lectures again, although sorry to see it wasn't a full house. I would have happily paid to attend, given the chance.

[chrissmith]

@Matthew your delivery sounds great, looks great and is an X-ray on things we can't see and radiates on things we feel. A great lecture I wish I was there. Thank you @Ri

[robertspies]

A stellar lecture and presentation. I've rarely seen a science lecture that was this well done and clear.

[albertaoridge]

Before watching this video i wouldn’t have thought this was a topic for me, but because the way this man speaks and how he explains things so well, I love it! I want to watch everything from him now. Great and entertaining speaker

[hermanmiller]

Another epic of RI; a very knowledgeable and, at the same time, humble scientist presents extremely well a novel topic to a wide range of audience in a smooth and coherent narration, starting with a nice and informative introduction of the basis and history of topic, wrapping up with its application in cutting edge technologies.

[basilbenny]

Every lectures of The Royal Institution is just straight away epic
Never disappoints us

[DrJeeps]

Another excellent lecture at the RI. It is so enjoyable to listen to these enlightening talks!

[johnchen]

Amazing journey for me to understand so much about the universe with an easy, smooth, , efficient, and fun way to learn massive information in short period. Such a legend!

[BrechdanHam]

This was bloody brilliant. I loved it!

[kwisclubta]

I like this guy. Sometimes I am fascinated by the subject matter, but don't like the speaker. In this case, I am a fan of both..

[jaapongeveer]

Thank you for this most timely lecture with JWT a couple of months away from starting its science.