Introduction to Cosmology

Cosmology is the study of the origin and evolution of the Universe. This web site introduces basic concepts in modern cosmology and describes the MAP mission at a general level.

Pages that answer general cosmology questions:

What is the Big Bang?
How old is the universe?
How fast is the universe expanding?
Is the universe infinite?
What is the universe made of?
What is the cosmological constant?
What is the theory of Inflation? How does it extend the Big Bang theory?
How did the chemical elements form?
How did galaxies and large scale structure form in the early universe?
What is the cosmic microwave background radiation?
What are cosmic microwave background fluctuations?
What is the Milky Way?
The formation of the first stars and quasars
The life and death of stars

Pages that address the MAP science goals and mission:

What is the MAP satellite and how will it measure these fluctuations?
How will MAP be able to measure the basic parameters of cosmology?
How did galaxies and large scale structure form in the early universe?
The formation of the first stars and quasars
MAP's education and outreach program

Back to the MAP Technical Information Page

Back to the Introduction to Cosmology Page

Back to the MAP Home Page

Please help us make this web site more useful and enjoyable by telling us what you would like to see at this site:

Mail

David N. Spergel / dns@astro.princeton.edu
Gary Hinshaw / hinshaw@stars.gsfc.nasa.gov
Charles L. Bennett / bennett@stars.gsfc.nasa.gov

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Last updated: Friday, 05-21-1999