Astrophysics IV : observational cosmology
Summary
Cosmology is the study of the structure and evolution of the universe as a whole. This course describes the principal themes of cosmology, as seen from the point of view of observations.
Content
1. A brief historical perspective: a few ancient cosmologies. Olbers' paradox.
2. The three observational pillars of Big Bang cosmology dis-covered during the 20th century: (i) The universe expansion; (ii) The cosmic microwave background at 3K; (iii) The abundance of light elements.
3. The metric of the universe. The spectral redshifts.
4. Cosmological models and the evolution of the universe.
5. Observational tests: the age of the universe, mean density and the problem of dark matter, nucleo-cosmo-chronology, the deep galaxy counts.
6. Recent observations of the cosmic microwave background and its power spectrum.
7. Impact of gravitational lenses on cosmology.
8. The initial phases of the evolution of the universe in the Big Bang model and cosmological nucleosynthesis.
Learning Prerequisites
Recommended courses
Bachelor in physics or mathematics and Astrophysics I, II and III
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Theorize the fondamental principles of cosmology
Transversal skills
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra and exercices supervised in classroom
Assessment methods
oral exam (100%)
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Astrophysics IV : observational cosmology
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Astrophysics IV : observational cosmology
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Astrophysics IV : observational cosmology
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Astrophysics IV : observational cosmology
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks