Special Event

Open Readings is excited to host a Special Event for the fifth year in a row! This year we invite you to join a Nobel laureate Professor Brian Schmidt’s lecture “State of the Universe”.

The distinguished professor of Astronomy at the Australian National University (ANU) B. Schmidt has made substantial contributions to modern cosmology through pioneering research. Awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of the Universe’s accelerated expansion, he provided the first robust evidence for dark energy. His research focuses on observational cosmology, supernovae, and large-scale astronomical surveys to clarify the composition, structure, and evolution of the Universe. He has also held significant academic and scientific leadership positions, including senior roles within the International Astronomical Union, where he was appointed president elect.

Professor Schmidt’s lecture “State of the Universe” will offer a comprehensive and accessible overview of current cosmological knowledge, tracing the Universe’s development from the Big Bang through its subsequent evolution. The presentation will address fundamental properties of the Universe, including its size, age, density, shape, and composition, as well as insight from observational data concerning its history and possible future. The lecture will differentiate between established scientific findings and major unresolved questions in contemporary cosmology. This event is free of charge and open for anyone interested to attend – professionals, students and the general public.

Date: April 20, 2026

Time 15:00

Location: National Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (NFTMC), Saulėtekio Ave. 3 Room A101.

Photographs and video footage will be taken during the event. It will be used by the organisers for marketing and publicity reasons.