The idea that the universe as a whole might have a definite shape goes back to antiquity, but it underwent a radical shift when Galileo turned his telescope toward the heavens and revealed the vastness that lay beyond human vision. A second and equally radical shift came 300 years later when Hubble obtained evidence that the universe was not static, but expanding, while Einstein provided the theoretical underpinnings for that expansion and proposed a new galaxy of possible shapes. This talk will attempt to explain those shapes and the gradually accumulating evidence in favor of one or the other, including the cosmic microwave background radiation, and the newly discovered effect that has been dubbed "dark energy."

Pizza and soda will be served for those attending!