Sonsuzluk İçinde Bir Nefestir İnsan | Selçuk TOPAL | TEDxVan YYU

In this talk, astrophysicist Selçuk Topal explores the invisible connections between humanity and the universe through the lens of science. From the origins of the cosmos to the vast regions that remain beyond our observation, from the shared history of our atoms with the stars to the limits imposed by the ongoing expansion of the universe, he takes the audience on a journey that reveals how small our current knowledge remains compared to what is still unknown. While emphasizing the guiding role of science in humanity’s quest to understand its place in the cosmos, he discusses how approaches lacking scientific foundations, such as astrology, often misinterpret this connection. Ultimately, he reflects on human life as a brief yet meaningful pause between infinities in a universe that stretches from eternity to eternity. Selçuk Topal is an astrophysicist and science communicator whose research focuses on molecular gas in galaxies, star formation, and galaxy evolution. Through his non-profit science communication initiative, Gelecek Uzayda (“The Future Is in Space”), which he has led since his doctoral years at the University of Oxford’s Department of Astrophysics, he aims to build an accessible, trustworthy, and engaging bridge between science and society. Over the years, he has appeared on hundreds of television programs, written popular science articles, delivered numerous seminars and public talks, and produced digital content that has reached millions of people. He is the author of From Chaos to Cosmos: The Story of the Universe and the creator and presenter of the documentary series Incredible Universe. The central goal of his science communication work is to contribute to a society that values curiosity, critical thinking, the common good, and an awareness of humanity’s scientific connection to the universe. He also seeks to encourage local governments and decision-makers to invest more actively in science-and-society initiatives. An alumnus of the University of Oxford and a member of both the Oxford Union and the Royal Astronomical Society, Selçuk Topal is an astrophysicist specializing in galaxy evolution and molecular gas. He currently serves on the board of Turkey’s national observatories and continues his research in collaboration with international teams. Since 2013, he has led the "Gelecek Uzayda" (Future is in Space) initiative to promote scientific thinking on a global scale. As the creator, writer, and presenter of the documentary series İnanılmaz Evren, Topal also contributes to popular science media as a consultant and scriptwriter. A finalist for the Study UK Alumni Awards and a two-time finalist in astronaut selection processes, his work uniquely bridges the gap between high-level academic research and impactful public engagement. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx