https://www.google.com

I am going to post a picture of myself for a picture that represents me (view it below)

Here is a hyperlink to my Instagram account (sorry, it’s private. You’ll have to follow me if you want to see my photos. I promise I’m interesting).

Hi! My name is Xingbei Cao, a sophomore Computer Science student at Vanderbilt University. I got interested in Astronomy due to the movie Contact, in which the beautiful cosmos and Dr.Arroway’s interactions with the aliens really impressed me.

Most people I have met have never seen the Milky Way with their naked eye. In fact, a lot of people I have met did not know this was even possible! Luckily, I live in the state of Utah, where 80% of the population lives within a stretch of towns and cities called the Wasatch Front. This leaves a large area dedicated to state and national parks untouched by light pollution. Southern Utah, particularly Bryce Canyon National Park and Arches National Park allow you to see the beauty of space with no telescope required, and I cannot wait to visit again.

I’m from Santa Barbara, which is a totally rad city you can learn more about by checking out the city’s website here.

From the beginning of astronomical studies, it was always assumed that people, that Earth, is the center and the largest and most important of everything out there. While these basic assertions have been debunked over the past few centuries, it is only recently that this foundational way of thinking, in which we are the only beings and solar system is the only solar system and our universe the, only universe has begun to change.

This is realized through theories from aliens and life beyond our planet to the idea of a “multiverse.” The multiverse, shown in the provided picture, is defined as “innumerable regions of disconnected space-time.” To put in lay-mans terms, this theory states that there are an infinite and increasing number of universes. Each of these universes contain it’s own cohort of astronomical objects, yet different laws of physics. This vastly increasing and never-ending amount of universes is created from eternal chaotic inflation which is based upon the theory of cosmic inflation and how cosmic inflation “does not end everywhere at the same time.” This non-uniform inflation leads to multiple pocket universes that go on without an actual end. (Kunn) To look further into the idea of multiverses and parallel universes, you can find a plethora of information at https://space.mit.edu/home/tegmark/multiverse.pdf.

But how does this relate to why I personally want to study astronomy? Think about how small we are relative to our plant. Now our solar system. Now think about us in relation to our galaxy, our super cluster, our universe! We are beyond tiny; we are not even microscopic in comparison to our universe. So how much smaller would we be in comparison to a multiverse? This way of thinking allows me to put the aspects of my daily life into perspective, and liberates me from these stresses. So maybe I don’t get the best score on an exam (not that I don’t care about my classes, because I do!). When I think about how little I am, and that one test is, relative to everything else that is and could be, I am liberated from this small stress. This only makes me want to study astronomy more and understand just how important I and all that our planet has to offer truly is.

Kuhn, Robert Lawrence. “Confronting the Multiverse: What ‘Infinite Universes’ Would Mean.” Space.com, Space, 23 Dec. 2015, http://www.space.com/31465-is-our-universe-just-one-of-many-in-a-multiverse.html.