everything.study
8.942

Cosmology

3-0-9 units · Graduate

Thermal backgrounds in space. Cosmological principle and its consequences: Newtonian cosmology and types of "universes"; survey of relativistic cosmology; horizons. Overview of evolution in cosmology; radiation and element synthesis; physical models of the "early stages." Formation of large-scale structure to variability of physical laws. First and last states. Some knowledge of relativity expected. 8.962 recommended though not required.

Fall 2001

Topics

  • Overview; Hubble Expansion
  • General Relativity Overview
  • Robertson-Walker Models
  • Cosmography 1: H 0 t 0 , Angular Diameter Test
  • Cosmography 2: SNe Ia
  • Inflation 1
  • Inflation 2
  • Quantum Fluctuations from Inflation
  • Radiation Era, Nucleosynthesis
  • Baryogenesis, CMB Basics
  • CMB Anisotropy 1
  • CMB Anisotropy 2
  • CMB Anisotropy 3
  • Gamma-ray Bursts
  • High-z Galaxies and QSOs
  • QSO Absorption Lines 1
  • QSO Absorption Lines 2
  • Galaxy Clustering
  • Newtonian Structure Formation Theory
  • Nonlinear Models
  • Relativistic Perturbation Theory
  • Structure Formation Models 1
  • Structure Formation Models 2
  • Galaxy Formation 1
  • Galaxy Formation 2
  • Frontiers of Cosmology

Readings

  • The textbook readings are in: Peacock, John A. Cosmological Physics. Cambridge University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780521422703.
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 2 · TOPICS: General Relativity Overview · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 1
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 3 · TOPICS: Robertson-Walker Models · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 3.1-3.3
    Reading assignment
  • Peacock: Chapter 5
    Listed reading
  • Peacock: Chapter 3.4, 5
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 6 · TOPICS: Inflation 1 · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 11.1-11.3
    Reading assignment
  • Peacock: Chapter 11.3-11.4
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 8 · TOPICS: Quantum Fluctuations from Inflation · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 11.5
    Reading assignment
  • Peacock: Chapter 9
    Listed reading
  • Peacock: Chapter 9.6, 9.4
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 11 · TOPICS: CMB Anisotropy 1 · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 12.3, 18
    Reading assignment
  • Peacock: Chapter 18
    Listed reading
  • Peacock: Chapter 13, 14
    Listed reading
  • Peacock: Chapter 12.1-12.2
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 17 · TOPICS: QSO Absorption Lines 2 · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 12.1-12.2
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 18 · TOPICS: Galaxy Clustering · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 16
    Reading assignment
  • Peacock: Chapter 15.1-15.4
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 20 · TOPICS: Nonlinear Models · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 15.7-15.8
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 21 · TOPICS: Relativistic Perturbation Theory · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 15.5-15.6
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 22 · TOPICS: Structure Formation Models 1 · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 17.1-17.2
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 23 · TOPICS: Structure Formation Models 2 · READINGS: Turner review ↗
    Reading assignment
  • LEC #: 24 · TOPICS: Galaxy Formation 1 · READINGS: Peacock: Chapter 17.3-17.4
    Reading assignment
  • Peacock: Chapter 17.5
    Listed reading
  • LEC #: 26 · TOPICS: Frontiers of Cosmology · READINGS: Rees ↗
    Reading assignment
  • Peacock, John A. Cosmological Physics, Cambridge University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780521422703
    Listed reading

Prerequisites & course information

Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2027-2028: Not offered Acad Year 2028-2029: G (Fall) 3-0-9 units

Sources