March 5, 2012
Contact Msgr. Bernard McGarty at 608-796-3788 or bomcgarty@viterbo.edu
“EINSTEIN, LEMAÎTRE AND THE BIG BANG THEORY”
PRESENTATION AT VITERBO MARCH 27
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Explore
the science and physics of the beginnings of the universe as seen through the
eyes of two 20th century geniuses as Monsignor Bernard McGarty, S.T.D.,
presents “Einstein, Lemaître
and the Big Bang Theory” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 in the Viterbo
University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.
Albert
Einstein, was a renowned physicist and Fr. Georges Lemaître, a famous astrophysicist
and founder of the Big Bang Theory. They met on several occasions, exploring
and debating the facts and theories related to the origins of the universe.
These dialogues form the basis of Msgr. McGarty’s talk.
According
to Msgr. McGarty, Einstein accepted the mathematics of Lemaître’s Big Bang Theory.
However, Einstein rejected the physics as he thought the universe was static while
Lemaître thought the universe was expanding and had a beginning. Eventually
Einstein accepted Lemaître’s explanation that the universe originated 13.5
billion years ago.
The
theory of the Big Bang was officially confirmed by the scientific community in
1965.
“I
think the audience will really enjoy exploring the history and personalities in
a very exciting period in the history of cosmology,” Msgr. McGarty said.
Msgr.
McGarty is Viterbo’s Visiting Scholar in Ecumenical Studies. He has presented
well-attended lectures covering Islam and other faith traditions, the life of
St. Paul, the separation of church and state, and he was the playwright of the
dramatic production, Who is the Greatest American?
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