The End Of Everything (Astronomically Speaking)

The universe had a beginning, and it will have an end. Modern cosmology, the study of the nature and evolution of the cosmos itself, has allowed physicists to explain the history of the universe from the first tiny fraction of a second until today.

But what’s next? We now have the tools to extend our knowledge into the distant future and speculate about the ultimate fate of all reality.

Join us for a lively talk about the five likely ways the universe can die – such as a heat death, vacuum decay and other scenarios – with acclaimed theoretical astrophysicist Katie Mack.

Science has shown us the universe began with a Big Bang but what about its endgame? Will everything burn out and freeze over, or collapse in on itself, or rip into shreds? How far away are we from this happening?

Embark on a cosmic journey to the end of the universe with astrophysicist, science communicator, and author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking), Katie Mack.

In this public talk, Katie takes us through the latest scientific tolls and data, from space telescopes to particle colliders, to explain the big ideas and key theories of the death of the universe.

SPEAKERS
Dr Katherine (Katie) Mack, astrophysicist, author and science communicator is a theoretical astrophysicist who studies a range of questions in cosmology, the study of the universe from beginning to end. She currently holds the position of Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, where she carries out research on dark matter and the early universe and works to make physics more accessible to the general public.

She is the author of the book *The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) *and has written for a number of popular publications, such as Scientific American, Slate, BBC’s Science Focus, Sky & Telescope, and Cosmos Magazine. Katie is also an active social media user, with large followings on BlueSky, Instagram and Facebook.

Host: Professor Tara Murphy, University of Sydney, is the Head of School of Physics at the University of Sydney, and a Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery. Tara leads an international team searching for astronomical objects that change rapidly on human timescales using the Australian SKA Pathfinder Telescope. Her work resulted in the first detection of radio emission from a binary neutron star merger GW170817 (in collaboration with international colleagues).

Tara is also an enthusiastic science communicator, and her writing and results have featured in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Conversation and Cosmos Magazine, and on national television, radio and podcasts.

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Free to attend. Registration is essential.
https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/events-sponsorships/sydney-ideas/2025/katie-mack-the-end-of-everything.html
You will receive the name and location of the theatre in the registration email.

Doors open at 6pm. Meet us in the foyer between 6pm - 6:15pm, if you want to be seated together. The talk starts at 6:30pm.

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[Optional] - Join us for dinner, drinks and discussion afterwards at The Off Broadway Hotel, for Thai cuisine that is affordable and prepared quickly. Check out the menu at https://offbroadwayhotel.com.au/food-drinks
The Off Broadway Hotel, Broadway Shopping Centre, 31-33 Bay Street, Ultimo.
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