Howard L. Schultz, Sr. Prize Lecture - Brian Greene - Columbia University

Starry Night: A Journey Across Space and Time

The iconic photograph of Earth as a “pale blue dot” seen through the rings of Saturn, reveals our planet’s delicate presence against the vastness of space. Extending this perspective across time—from the big bang to the universe’s distant future—deepens our appreciation of humanity’s fleeting moment in the cosmic story. In this presentation, Brian Greene guides us through the key moments in the unfolding of the universe, from the big bang to the rise of stars, life, black holes, and consciousness, illuminating humanity’s quest for meaning against a silent cosmos.

Host: Yale Society of Physics Students