Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Frank Close: The Cosmic Onion

Particle physicist Frank Close OBE looks at how our understanding of particle physics developed over the 20th century.

A is for Atoms
E1
A is for AtomsA journey through time - from seconds after the Big Bang to the present day. In his first lecture, Frank Close takes a look at the electromagnetic spectrum beyond the rainbow, from infrared to ultraviolet, from radio waves to gamma rays.
To the Centre of the Sun
E2
To the Centre of the SunBy learning how atomic nuclei behave, form and change, we begin to understand how the stars, and particular, our Sun produce their power.
Invaders from Outer Space
E3
Invaders from Outer SpaceIn his third lecture Frank Close looks at the various methods of imaging fundamental particles. Millions of cosmic particles rain down on us with clues to the first moments in time.
Anti-Matter Matters
E4
Anti-Matter MattersBefore the Large Hadron Collider, there was the Large Electron Positron collider, the largest electon accelerator ever built.
An Hour to Make the Universe
E5
An Hour to Make the UniverseIn his final lecture, Frank Close looks at the symmetry of the early universe and the reasons behind its current asymmetrical state. According to the leading theories, the Big Bang produced matter and anti-matter in equal proportions. How is it that the "matter" won out?