Recent observations suggest that about 95% of the Universe's energy lies in a dark sector. This sector is comprised of dark matter, a form of non-luminous matter, and dark energy whose origin and composition is unknown. Dark matter seems to make up 23% of the Universe and it possibly consists of new exotic particles that interact very weakly with ordinary matter. Dark energy, about 73% of the Universe, is responsible for a mysterious force that is speeding up its expansion.
The origin and microscopic composition of dark matter and dark energy are outstanding fundamental problems in physics, and may possibly find a resolution in new theories pointing beyond the standard models of particle physics and cosmology. This prompts a strong connection between particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. The aim of the meeting is to bring together experts from all around the world to discuss the latest advances in the theoretical, phenomenological and experimental aspects of the field.
DSU09 is co-organized by Monash University and The University of Melbourne. The meeting is a continuation of the DSU workshops held in Seoul (2005), Madrid (2006), Minnesota (2007) and Cairo (2008) in the past.
The topics of the workshop include:
- Various dark matter candidates
- Direct and indirect detection of dark matter and accelerator searches
- Dark matter distributions and modeling
- Nonstandard cosmology
- Origin of dark energy
- Experimental aspects of dark energy
- Ultra high energy cosmic rays and gamma ray bursts
- Status of neutrino physics
Photo's from the conference
Contact: dsu09 @ sci.monash.edu.au |
Barnaby Norris photograph shows a formation of dust lanes in the Milky Way that make the shape of an emu, rising above an ancient rock engraving of an emu in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, north of Sydney.
Conference poster |
