Case Western Reserve University's already world-class cosmology program is poised to become the universal leader in astrophysics with its new Center for Education and Research in Cosmology (CERCA).

To celebrate the opening of the new center, which will help further the public's understanding of researchers' evolving insight into the universe, Case is hosting an inaugural Kavli-CERCA Future of Cosmology Conference October 10-12—to be capped off with a rare appearance by Stephen Hawking, one the world's most influential astrophysicists.

In addition to his public address at 8 p.m. October 13 in Severance Hall, Hawking, the author of "A Brief History of Time"—the best selling science book of the 20th century—and the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, will receive the University's Michelson-Morley Award for his achievements in science.

In celebration of its opening, CERCA also will sponsor public talks by other world-renowned astrophysicists and cosmologists, including Steve Weinberg, the 1979 Nobel Laureate in physics and the Jack and Josey-Welch Foundation Chair in Science at the University of Texas at Austin, who will speak at 7 p.m. October 9 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The inaugural Kavli-CERCA Future of Cosmology Conference is expected to draw nearly 100 of the world's top scientists who will discuss key questions researchers likely will face in the next 25 years of study in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.

"Scientists will not report solely on their own research findings but will be asked to address questions about future possibilities such as are there extra dimensions in the universe and what tools astrophysicists and cosmologists need to push the frontiers of their science," said Lawrence Krauss, director of CERCA, chair of the conference organizing committee and Case's chair and Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics and Astronomy.

Case will host the conference with support from the Kavli Institute, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the R.S. Morrison Foundation.

Established with seed funding from a Case Provost Opportunity Fund grant, CERCA is designed to enhance the world-class research programs in cosmology and astrophysics already at Case by providing fellowships to enable some of the world's best young researchers to spend time at the University.

In partnership with its University Circle neighbor, the Shafran Planetarium at the Cleveland Museum of History, the center will design popular planetarium programs and ultimately documentaries and films to inform the general public about the latest developments in cosmology and astrophysics, Krauss said, adding that programs developed for the Shafran Planetarium eventually could be used by other planetariums around the country.

Over the next years, Krauss said he plans to raise more than $25 million to build a new home for CERCA, now centered in the department of physics in Case's Rockefeller Building, and to support research opportunities for postdoctoral researchers and staff at the natural history museum.

To learn more about the Michelson Morley award and lecture, go to http://www.case.edu/events/mml.

For additional information on CERCA or the conference, visit http://www.phys.cwru.edu/cerca.

Conference participation is limited. To request an invitation, e-mail cerca@cwru.edu. Several postdoctoral and graduate student fellowships are available. The nomination form is available on the CERCA Web site.

Return to the online edition of the 8-28-03 Campus News.