ASTR 6400-0

Brief

This course is a graduate-level introduction to important topics of current interest in cosmology, from an astronomer's perspective. The course will concentrate on 'observational cosmology': parameterized models of the expansion history of the Universe, the cosmological context of galaxy formation in the concordance Dark Energy and Cold Dark Matter (LambdaCDM) model, and ways to describe and measure the large-scale structure of the Universe.

Description

Course keywords: Cosmology, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Cosmological Observations, Galaxy Formation 課程說明 (Course Description) This course is a graduate-level introduction to important topics of current interest in cosmology, from an astronomer's perspective. The course will concentrate on 'observational cosmology': parameterized models of the expansion history of the Universe, the cosmological context of galaxy formation in the concordance Dark Energy and Cold Dark Matter (LambdaCDM) model, and ways to describe and measure the large-scale structure of the Universe. We will aim to cover a broad range of topics, rather than a rigorous mathematical treatment. We will focus on connections between topics and between cosmology and current research in other areas of astronomy and astrophysics, in particular galaxy formation. The relativistic dynamics, quantum mechanics and radiative processes that are vital for understanding the very early evolution of the Universe will only be covered qualitatively. Previous experience with general relativity is not required. The course is being redesigned this year, so the syllabus and assessment methods below should be considered illustrative. PLEASE NOTE: the primary audience for this course are masters and doctoral students at IoA. This course is not a general introduction to cosmology. 教學進度 (Syllabus) * Overview of concepts, the history of the subject, and connections to other fields; * Measures of distance, size and time in cosmological models; * Simple cosmological models, overview of the concordance Lambda-CDM model; * The early universe in LambdaCDM (from inflation to the cosmic microwave background, plus reionization); * The growth of structure in LambdaCDM (linear theory of gravitational clustering, halo formation, nonlinear structure in N-body models); * Observational probes of cosmic structure (the galaxy-halo connection in LCDM, volume- averaged star formation history, the Lyman-alpha forest); * Statistical measures of structure (correlation functions, power spectra, baryon acoustic oscillations, redshift-space distortions); * Evidence for Dark Matter and Dark Energy and alternatives to LCDM; * Galaxy clusters and voids (including CMB foreground effects); * Frontiers of modern cosmology. 教學方式 (Teaching Method) Lectures, guided study. 成績考核 (Evaluation) Most likely there will be a mid-term exam and a final presentation. There may also be mini- project homework related to practical calculations with standard computational tools. Attendance and constructive contribution to class discussions will form part of the grade. This course will be offered in English. 指定用書 (Text Books) The course will not follow a single textbook, but the following may be helpful: * "Observational Cosmology" by S. Serjeant (Cambridge University Press, 2010). * "An Introduction to Modern Cosmology 3rd Ed." by A. Liddle. (Wiley, 2015). * "Galaxy Formation and Evolution” by H. Mo, S. White & F. van den Bosch (Cambridge University Press, 2010). * "Cosmological Physics" by J.A. Peacock (Cambridge University Press, 1999). 參考書籍 (References) The following tools may prove useful -- a more comprehensive list and explanations will be given in class. * Ned Wright's Cosmology Calculator: http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/CosmoCalc.html (useful for quick calculations) * ICosmos Cosmology Calculator: http://www.icosmos.co.uk (makes plots) * Astropy Cosmology package: http://docs.astropy.org/en/stable/cosmology/ * NASA LAMBDA: https://lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov/ (archive of CMB data and tools)

Timetable

Remarks

Restrictions

Compulsory

Elective

Cross Discipline

First Specialization

Second Specialization