index Biohistory journal, Summer, 2007

Biohistory journal, Summer, 2007: Index > Theory and observation illuminate the genesis of the universe

Dialogue

Theory and observation illuminate the genesis of the universe

Katsuhiko Sato / Keiko Nakamura

Photograph by Naruaki Onishi
       When the Biohistory Journal was launched, we held study meetings with many people in addition to biologists, including physicists, engineers, architects, and artists. At that time, Mr. Sato was the person who showed us the model for exploring a new academic discipline with the theory of the universe while taking into account the essence of science. The story of the universe in which the point after the inquiry into quantum theory became visible was appealing. The creation of the universe comes to mind first when you want to think about the concept of genesis. It had been quite a while since I had a conversation that was so complete. Mr. Sato said that even he found it almost frightening that the theory of innovation he presented would be confirmed by actual observation. These 10 years of results are impressive. I wonder if a time such as this will come for biology. (Keiko Nakamura)

Nakamura :
       The “beginning” is that which wants to know. The Biohistory Journal is the passage from the self to the creation of humankind and then life. Before that everything is the beginning, and the birth of the universe. That, it is said, is the verification of the inflation theory you’ve presented.

Sato :
       This theory postulates a universe based on a small quantum theory. Creation itself is not at discussion. The mother universe is created through the energy of a vacuum. This assertion is a forecast based on a unified theory. The energy of the vacuum is mathematically the same as Einstein’s cosmological constant. Then, second- and third-generation multiverses are created.

Nakamura :
       It is an impressive scenario that after inflation, the vacuum of energy gave rise to all the current matter and thermal energy today with the Big Bang. It also can forecast second- and third-generation universes.

Sato :
       Not a universe, but a multiverse. The undulation of gases has been observed 380,000 years after the birth of the universe, and that fits with the predictions of the inflation theory. The observations and the theory match, and the general outline of the evolution of the universe is understood. But the so-called new mysteries, such as the dark matter and the dark energy created after that are an issue related to the core of 21st century physics, including the ultimate in unified theory.

Nakamura :
       A unified theory is a dream. With the thought that there are layers to truth, the process for the next solution will be intriguing. I am hopeful, because in the next stage, when the problem of self-organization is solved, it seems as if it will be linked to living creatures. Then, I want to know where the small universe comes from.

       The beach ball is used to map data expressing the clearing of the universe. This was created and presented to commemorate the microwave observation satellite WMAP, which monitors conditions 380,000 years after the universe was created.

       In theoretical physics, success or failure is determined by the images thrown up by models for calculation and confirmation. The whiteboard in the lab is covered with formulas and diagrams. It is from here that intuition is born.

After the dialogue

Katsuhiko Sato
       I am a fan of the Biohistory Journal. I was permitted to attend the study meetings advocated by Ms. Nakamura when the office for creating the research hall was established, and I learned then that the Biohistory Journal was interesting. Today, I was very glad that Ms. Nakamura asked me about my specialty, which is the problem of the present dark matter and dark energy from the creation of the universe. Come to think of it, we also talked about the theory of the creation of the universe at that time. But that was just a scenario depicted by theoretical physics, because there was no supporting data from observations. Now, however, cosmology is in an era of observation, and an enormous amount of data can be obtained, just as it is for biological sciences. Circumstances have changed greatly. The most stimulating thing I heard during my conversation with Ms. Nakamura was her exhortation to think in verbs. We both strongly believe that by thinking and talking of a theory of the universe with verbs instead of nouns, we might be able to depict a grand scenario for the evolution of the universe, a Cosmology Journal.
Katsuhiko Sato
      Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1945, Sato was awarded a doctorate in physics from the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University. He has served as the head of the Research Center for the Early Universe, and is at present a professor at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo. He is the former chairman of The Physical Society of Japan. A specialist in cosmology and astrophysics, he is one of the most active proponents of the inflation theory worldwide. He has been awarded Medal with Purple Ribbon, and has authored such works as The Puzzle of 96% of the Universe and The Theory of Relativity.
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