November 6, 2025
The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI)
This coming December 14 (Sun), the University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI) and the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR) will host our joint public lecture, "The Mystery of the Universe: Dark Energy and Neutrinos". We look forward to seeing you there in person or online.
This public lecture is recommended for those with junior high school level science knowledge and above. Admission is free. There is not limit to seating online, but pre-registration is required.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Event Summary
Time & Date: 1pm - 4pm, December 14 (Sun), 2025
Venue: Yasuda Auditorium, Hongo Campus, The University of Tokyo OR online (please not that video records of this event will not be uploaded online afterwards)
Host: The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), and the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR)
Difficulty level: Junior high school level education
Admission: Free
Seating:
- Onsite seating: 700
- Online seating: Unlimited
Registration: Fill out a form here (deadline: December 12 (Fri))
How to participate: Tickets and additional information will be sent to the email address submitted to us in the above registration form.
Enquiries: koukai-kouza_at_ipmu.jp (Kavli IPMU PR Office)
*Note: Please change _at_ to @.
Program
1:00pm - 1:50pm
Lecture 1
The Mystery of Dark energy: Constant or Evolving with Time?
Speaker: Jingjing Shi (Kavli IPMU Project Assistant Professor)
The universe is expanding faster and faster—a discovery that revealed the presence of dark energy, a mysterious energy component making up about 70% of the Universe. But what is it? Is dark energy a constant, or does it change over time? In this talk, we’ll explore the history and current status of how scientists are trying to uncover the true nature of dark energy.
1:50pm - 2:40pm
Lecture 2
Exploring the Mysteries of Elementary Particles and the Universe with the Hyper-Kamiokande
Speaker: Katsuki Hiraide (ICRR Associate Professor)
Hyper-Kamiokande, currently under construction, is a next-generation, ultra-large neutrino detector approximately ten times larger than the existing Super-Kamiokande. It aims to begin observations in 2028. Over 600 researchers from 22 countries worldwide are participating, enabling diverse research including elucidating neutrino properties and searching for nucleon decay. Among its goals, directly measuring the differences in properties between neutrinos and antineutrinos using a neutrino beam generated by an accelerator holds the potential to shed light on the origin of matter in the universe. We will explain the cosmic and particle physics research to be conducted at Hyper-Kamiokande in an easy-to-understand manner, along with the latest construction progress.
3:00pm - 4:00pm
