[TED] Patricia Burchat

http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_burchat_leads_a_search_for_dark_energy.html

1. Brief description

Patricia Burchat studies the structrue and distribution of dark matter and dark energy. She talks about the existence of dark energy that we cannot see. According to what she says, the mass of clusters of galaxies are much bigger than they can account for; therefore, the dark matter around the galaxies is what make up the most of the weight. She explains the 'cone shape' of ray of light that observers see when the ray from a galaxy is bent by the dark matter. She introduces the Einstein's ring (3D shape of the rays coming into the observer's eyes or a telescope).

2. How it changed me

To be honest, I'm ALWAYS overwhelmed by how interesting and mysterious the universe it. It always comes to be as a shock, and this one was no different. I feel like I am this small little particle who has no effect on the universe.

3. One question

How did Einstein find out all these equations and come up with theories with much less technology? If he could do it, why isn't the process of discovery speeding up as more advanced technology is invented?

4. One word of expression

Extreme - we are billions of years apart from those galaxies. Everything and anything in the "dark" side of universe is massive and big. It's all about big scale and big ideas.