How the Invisible is Studied: Dark Energy, Dark Matter, and Black Holes

On May 25 at 6:00 PM, astrophysicist and science populariser Sergey Popov will give a lecture in Haifa about the "dark" side of the universe 🌌

Astronomers are used to studying invisible objects. Typically, they gather information about them by observing how their gravity influences visible sources. Because these objects do not emit radiation, they are often given the labels "dark" or "black". Modern astrophysics recognizes three major "dark entities" — dark matter, dark energy, and black holes

The existence of all three remains a hypothesis, but they are considered standard hypotheses – the best explanations we currently have, supported by a vast amount of indirect evidence, unlike competing theories.

But how were these arguments established, and why do these three dark entities have stronger support than alternative models? That’s what we will discuss in this lecture.

🔹 Black holes – how matter falls into them and how gravitational waves emerge from their mergers.
🔹 Dark energy – how it burst into modern cosmology in 1998 and why it remains a key element.
🔹 Dark matter – from the first hypotheses nearly a century ago to the latest observational data.

After the lecture:
— Q&A session – ask your most interesting questions!
— Photo with the speaker – capture a moment with someone who knows secrets of the Universe

When: May 25 at 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
Where: Hadar Community Center (Matnas)
The lecture will be held in Russian.

🛰️ Join us for an exciting event!

About the speaker:

Sergey Popov is an astrophysicist, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, and one of Russia’s most well-known science popularisers. He is a laureate of the "Enlightener" award and the author of books and numerous articles about stars, neutron objects, black holes, and exoplanets. He is actively involved in science journalism, gives lectures, and runs a popular YouTube channel about the universe.

Google Maps link: Hadar Community Center (Matnas)

If you are fascinated by the mysteries of the universe and the search for extraterrestrial life, don’t miss the first lecture "Search for Life: From the Solar System to Exoplanets" by astrophysicist and science populariser Sergey Popov, taking place in Haifa on May 23.

During this lecture, you will learn about the methods astronomers use to search for life beyond Earth, which exoplanets seem most promising for detecting biosignatures, and how missions to Mars and the icy moons of the Solar System bring us closer to answering the big question: Are we alone in the universe?