What is Out There?

Consider for a moment the quantum, a mysterious bundle of energy and an indivisible unit that can be sliced no more. Its existence underlies the core of our understanding of the physical world, an understanding that is being continually stretched, tested and reshaped by the changing nature of our knowledge. What is happening in that world these days? What discoveries are testing the assumptions of the past 30 years? What new hypotheses are being advanced to explain a suddenly expanded universe with objects that may pre-date the existence of light? And how can ordinary folks get their minds around these matters?

To answer the above questions, we spoke with three guests whose areas of expertise encompass physics, astronomy, and astrophysics. Sheldon Glashow is a Boston University Professor of Physics and winner of the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in electroweak theory. Margaret Geller is a Senior Scientist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the discoverer of the wall of galaxies. Alan Lightman is Professor of Science and Writing at MIT, an astrophysicist and author of "Einstein's Dreams" and "The Diagnosis."