Microwave Anisotropy Probe

MAP Science Goals

The goal of MAP is to address three of the most fundamental questions in cosmology: 1) What are the values of the cosmological parameters of the Big Bang theory? 2) How did structures of galaxies form in the universe? and 3) When did the first structures of galaxies form? To answer these questions MAP will produce an accurate full-sky map of the cosmic microwave background temperature fluctuations with high sensitivity and angular resolution.

Scientific Goals

The properties of the cosmic microwave background radiation contain a wealth of information about physical conditions in the early universe. In particular, the anisotropy of the radiation probes fluctuations in the density of matter at early times. With a precise map of the cosmic microwave background anisotropy scientists will be able to address a number of key questions in cosmology:

Background

The cosmic microwave background radiation is the radiant heat left over from the Big Bang. Its discovery in 1965 by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson at the Bell Telephone Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, provides one of the most important pieces of evidence that there was, in fact, a Big Bang. The properties of the cosmic microwave background directly reflect conditions in the early universe, and the goal of MAP is to further our understanding of this radiation, and hence of the early universe. As part of the MAP education and outreach program we have developed a web site devoted to answering a number of basic question about cosmology.

Technical Back to the MAP Technical Information Page


Cosmology Back to the Introduction to Cosmology Page


Home Back to the MAP Home Page


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Last updated: Friday, 05-21-1999