Explore the quest for a unified theory of physics in this 53-minute lecture by astrophysicist John Gribbin at The Royal Institution. Delve into the challenge of reconciling quantum theory with general relativity to create a comprehensive 'theory of everything'. Learn about the size and spectrum of the Sun, nuclear fusion, radioactive decay, and the proton-proton chain. Discover how scientists measure stars and galaxies, including the use of Cepheid variables and the Doppler effect. Examine the contributions of key figures like Henrietta Swan, Alexander Friedman, and George Lamech to our understanding of the universe. Investigate Hubble's Law, the Hubble Constant, and the insights gained from the Hubble Deep Field. Uncover the evidence for the Big Bang, including background radiation and Planck data. Gain insights into the Standard Model of particle physics and current estimates of the universe's age. Finally, explore the ongoing efforts to unite quantum physics and general relativity into a cohesive framework. Read more