Brian Greene facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brian Greene
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Greene in 2012
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Brian Randolph Greene
February 9, 1963 New York City, U.S.
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| Education | Harvard University (BS) Magdalen College, Oxford (PhD) |
| Known for | String theory The Elegant Universe The Fabric of the Cosmos The Hidden Reality |
| Spouse(s) | Tracy Day |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Andrew Gemant Award (2003) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | Cornell University Columbia University |
| Thesis | Superstrings: topology, geometry and phenomenology and astrophysical implications of supersymmetric models (1986) |
| Doctoral advisor | Graham G. Ross James Binney |
Brian Randolph Greene, born on February 9, 1963, is an American physicist. He is famous for his work on string theory, which tries to explain how the universe works at its most basic level. He is a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University. He also leads the university's center for theoretical physics.
Greene is the chairman of the World Science Festival, an event he helped start in 2008. He made important discoveries in string theory, like mirror symmetry. This idea connects two different shapes called Calabi–Yau manifolds. He also showed how the shape of space can change smoothly in string theory.
His books, including The Elegant Universe (1999), The Fabric of the Cosmos (2004), The Hidden Reality (2011), and Until the End of Time (2020), were all bestsellers. Brian Greene hosted two TV shows based on his books, which won awards. He even appeared on the TV show The Big Bang Theory and in movies like Frequency.
Early Life and Education
Brian Greene was born in New York City. His father, Alan Greene, was a voice coach and composer. Brian graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1980. He then went to Harvard University to study physics, graduating with high honors in 1984.
After Harvard, he continued his studies at Magdalen College, Oxford, in England. He earned his PhD in theoretical physics in 1987. His research focused on superstrings and how they relate to the universe. While at Oxford, he also studied piano.
Academic Career and Research
Brian Greene started teaching physics at Cornell University in 1990. He became a full professor there in 1995. The next year, he moved to Columbia University, where he is still a professor today. At Columbia, he directs the center for theoretical physics. He leads research that combines string theory, mathematical physics, and the study of the universe.
Exploring String Theory
Greene's main research area is string theory. This theory suggests that the smallest parts of the universe are not tiny dots, but rather tiny vibrating strings. String theory is a leading idea for a "theory of everything." This means it tries to combine all the forces of nature into one big explanation.
He is known for helping us understand the different shapes that the "curled-up" extra dimensions in string theory can take. These special shapes are called Calabi–Yau manifolds. When these extra dimensions have these shapes, the physics we see in our three dimensions shows a special kind of balance called supersymmetry.
Greene also helped discover mirror symmetry. This is a special connection between two different Calabi–Yau shapes. He also studied how the shape of space can change smoothly in string theory. This includes the "flop transition" and the "conifold transition."
He has also looked into how string theory relates to the beginning of the universe. He studied ideas like "brane-gas cosmologies." These ideas might help explain why our universe has three large dimensions.
Sharing Science with Everyone
Brian Greene is very good at explaining complex science ideas to people who are not scientists. He wants everyone to understand the wonders of physics.
Best-Selling Books
His first book, The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory, came out in 1999. It explained superstring theory and M-theory in a way that was easy to understand. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
His second book, The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality (2004), explored ideas about space, time, and the nature of the universe. It talked about topics like spacetime and the origins of the universe.
In 2011, Greene released The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos. This book explored the idea of multiple universes, or the multiverse.
His most recent book, Until the End of Time: Mind Matter and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe (2020), looked at how the universe has changed and how it might end. It also explored how life and consciousness appeared.
TV Shows and Stage Works
The Elegant Universe was made into a three-part TV show for PBS. Brian Greene hosted and narrated it. This show won a Peabody Award in 2003. His second book, The Fabric of the Cosmos, also became a four-part PBS TV show in 2011. It was nominated for Emmy Awards.
Greene has also created stage shows that combine science, music, and visuals. One show, Icarus at the Edge of Time, was a futuristic story based on a Greek myth. It premiered in 2010. Another show, Light Falls: Space, Time, and an Obsession of Einstein, explored Einstein's journey to discover the General Theory of Relativity. It premiered in 2019.
World Science Festival
In 2008, Brian Greene and Tracy Day started the World Science Festival. This festival aims to help people learn about science and be excited by it. It offers many live and online programs about topics like black holes, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. Many scientists and artists take part in these events.
Media Appearances
Because his books are so popular and he is good on camera, Brian Greene has appeared on many TV shows and radio programs. These include The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Good Morning America, and Radiolab. In April 2011, he played himself in an episode of The Big Bang Theory.
He has also worked as a science consultant for movies like Frequency and Déjà Vu. He even had a small role in the movie The Last Mimzy. Brian Greene has given talks about science in many countries around the world.
Awards and Recognition
Brian Greene has received many awards for his work in physics and for sharing science with the public. Some of these include the Aventis Prize for The Elegant Universe in 2000 and the George Foster Peabody Award for the TV show based on it. In 2012, he received the Richtmyer Memorial Award for his research and teaching. In 2015, a type of Australian spider was named Dolomedes briangreenei in his honor.
Personal Life
Brian Greene is married to Tracy Day, who used to be a TV producer. They have two children, a son named Alec and a daughter named Sophia. Brian Greene has been a vegetarian since he was nine years old and a vegan since 1997.
He believes that science and strict religious beliefs don't always fit together. However, he also feels that religion is an important part of human history and culture.
See also
In Spanish: Brian Greene para niños
