Cosmology

Origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe.


foundation tier

Cosmology is a topic within astrophysical. Origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe. The area sits at the intersection of foundational theory and active research practice, and its methodology is shaped by a small set of canonical references that frame how problems are posed, how results are validated, and what counts as progress.

Work in this area progresses along several axes: the canonical theoretical framework, benchmark problems that calibrate methods against known answers, computational and experimental tooling that extends reach to larger or more complex systems, and frontier questions that current references either open up or partially answer. The references cited below illustrate these axes in different ways and together define the working vocabulary of the field.

Foundational references

The primary references for this topic establish the conceptual core and the standard problem set.

Modern Cosmology (Dodelson, 2003) is treated here as a primary reference for this area; its presentation of the subject is the canonical entry point for learners moving from prerequisites into independent work on cosmology.

Cosmology (Weinberg, 2008) is treated here as a primary reference for this area; its presentation of the subject is the canonical entry point for learners moving from prerequisites into independent work on cosmology.

Open methodological questions in cosmology include the precise scope of validity of the current dominant techniques, the integration of newer computational or experimental tools, and how this topic connects to neighbouring areas in the tree. Subsequent waves of editing will deepen these connections and add fresh frontier references as the literature evolves.

Prerequisites

Sources

  • textbook · primary · 2003
    Modern Cosmology
    dodelson-2003
  • textbook · primary · 2008
    Cosmology
    weinberg-2008

In context

Where this topic sits in the prerequisite graph. Click any node to jump.

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  1. 01

    Big Bang Cosmology

    FRW dynamics, primordial nucleosynthesis, and the thermal history of the universe.

  2. 02

    Cosmic Microwave Background

    Anisotropies, polarization, and the CMB as a precision cosmological probe.

  3. 03

    Large-Scale Structure

    Galaxy clustering, BAO, and weak lensing as cosmological observables.

  4. 04

    Dark Matter (Cosmology)

    Cosmological evidence for dark matter and its role in structure formation.

  5. 05

    Dark Energy (Cosmology)

    Late-time acceleration of the universe and observational constraints on the equation of state.

  6. 06

    Inflation

    Inflationary models, slow-roll dynamics, and predictions for primordial perturbations.

  7. 07

    Primordial Gravitational Waves

    Stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds from inflation and early-universe phase transitions.

  8. 08

    Structure Formation Theory

    Linear and nonlinear growth of perturbations under gravity in expanding spacetimes.

  9. 09

    N-Body Cosmological Simulations

    Large-scale gravity-only and hydrodynamic simulations of cosmic structure.

  10. 10

    Cosmological Tensions

    Hubble and S8 tensions and proposed resolutions in extended cosmological models.

  11. 11

    Cosmological Perturbation Theory

    Linear and higher-order perturbation theory in FRW backgrounds.

  12. 12

    21 cm Cosmology

    Cosmological hydrogen line as a probe of the cosmic dawn and reionization.

  13. 13

    Reionization

    Physics of the epoch when the first sources ionized the intergalactic medium.

  14. 14

    Modified Gravity (Cosmology)

    Cosmological tests of f(R), scalar–tensor, and other extensions of GR.

  15. 15

    Cosmological Simulation Methods

    TreePM, SPH, AMR, and moving-mesh codes for cosmological hydrodynamics.

  16. 16

    Baryogenesis and Leptogenesis

    Mechanisms producing the cosmic matter–antimatter asymmetry.

  17. 17

    Intergalactic Medium and Lyman-Alpha Forest

    Diffuse cosmological gas and its absorption spectra as a probe of structure.


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