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Explore the fascinating world of cosmology with discussions on the Big Bang theory, Olber's Paradox, cosmic microwave background, observable universe, and more. Review crucial questions on the origins and mysteries of the universe.

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Announcements

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  1. Announcements • Observing next week will count for the fourth exam. • The final exam will be cumulative. • The final will be 40 questions, 10-15 will be on cosmology, the remainder on material covered earlier in the semester.

  2. Cosmology • Why is the night sky dark? • Problems with the Big Bang

  3. Review Questions • Give three pieces of evidence for the Big Bang model. • What will happen to the Universe if the density is less than the critical density? • A few seconds after the big bang did hydrogen atoms exists? Why or why not?

  4. Three pieces of evidence for the Big Bang model • Hubble expansion: galaxies are moving away from us with speed proportional to distance. • The ratio of Helium to Hydrogen in gas clouds unaffected by stars. • The cosmic microwave background: a 2.7 K glow seen in all directions.

  5. What will happen to the Universe if the density is less than the critical density?

  6. A few seconds after the big bang did hydrogen atoms exists?

  7. Olber’s Paradox • Why is the night sky dark? Assume: • Universe is infinite • Universe has always existed • Universe has a flat geometry • Universe is homogeneous

  8. Olber’s Paradox

  9. Which is the solution to Olber’s Paradox • Stars have finite size and hide behind each other. • Dust blocks light from stars • The Universe has a finite age

  10. Whether the Universe will continue to expand forever or eventually collapse is determined by a competition between • Density and the rate of Hubble expansion • Gravity and redshift • Density and redshift • Iowa and Michigan

  11. Problems with the Big Bang • The horizon problem • The flatness problem

  12. Cosmic Microwave Background The Universe glows at 2.7 K in every direction. The temperature is the same to < 0.1%.

  13. Observable Universe We can only see the parts of the Universe from which light has had time to travel to us.

  14. Horizon Problem

  15. Flatness problem Any tiny deviation from the critical density is amplified over time.

  16. Inflation solves flatness problem

  17. Inflation solves horizon problem Size [cm] Time [seconds] Whole observable universe came from a tiny region.

  18. Problems with Big Bang • Problems point to an incomplete model, not an incorrect one. • Problems can be solved by a new theoretical idea, inflation, but this new idea still needs to be tested.

  19. Review questions • Why is it surprising that the microwave background has almost exactly the same temperature in all directions on the sky? • Why is the night sky dark?

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