Name: What it takes to do extreme astrophysics
Uploaded: 2011-04-21T14:51:00Z
Duration: 13 min 51 s
Description: All over the planet, giant telescopes and detectors are looking (and listening) for clues to the workings of the universe. At the INK Conference, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy tours us around these amazing installations, taking us to some of the most remote and silent places on Earth.

All over the planet, giant telescopes and detectors are looking (and listening) for clues to the workings of the universe. At the INK Conference, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy tours us around these amazing installations, taking us to some of the most remote and silent places on Earth.

What it takes to do extreme astrophysics

The pursuit to understand the cosmos drives scientists to some of Earth's most remote and challenging locations, from frozen Lake Baikal to the heart of Antarctica. Only four percent of the universe is made of known matter; the rest remains a mystery, prompting extreme experiments in search of dark matter and dark energy. Researchers risk harsh environments and isolation to gather the faintest signals. Protecting these silent places is essential for future discoveries about our universe and ourselves.