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Beginning early in the 20th century with the discovery that the spiral nebulae were giant systems like our own Galaxy and the Hubble/Slipher finding that the velocity difference between pairs of galaxies increased roughly linearly with their separations, the stage was set for our modern cosmological models framed as solutions to Einstein's equations for perturbations growing gravitationally in an approximately uniform and isotropic cosmos.
The startling discovery, which was very slow to be accepted, that most of the gravitating matter in the universe is "dark" and of (still) unknown composition and the still more puzzling but now widely accepted conclusion that gravity on the largest scales is overwhelmed by a repulsive force associated with "dark energy" completes the well established, if somewhat bizarre, standard model. Within this framework, very small amplitude, approximately scale-invariant, adiabatic perturbations were imposed by still unknown processes. All current large scale cosmological observations are consistent with this picture, and the detailed computer simulations based on the model appear to fit with steadily increasing precision both the detailed knowledge that we have of the local universe and the increasingly accurate evolutionary picture that we can construct by studying our own past light cone with large ground and space based telescopes that effectively use the universe as a time machine. Hoping to fill the substantial gaps in our understanding, major experiments are underway which should better constrain the unknown parameters and perhaps can test more sharply the present dominant paradigm.
Colloquia are usually preceded by coffee and followed by an informal reception (both in room CSS 0254). Anyone interested in having lunch or talking with the speaker should contact either of the colloquium coordinators (see below). The hour immediately after lunch will normally be reserved for the speaker to talk to graduate students. Students are urged to contact the coordinator to arrange this.
Request colloquia announcements by e-mail:
coll-request@astro.umd.edu
Colloquium Organizer:
Andrew Wilson (301) 405-1519
Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
Parking for visitors is available in the Cashier-Attended Parking Lot at the intersection of Paint Branch & Technology Drive. It is a 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot to the Computer & Space Sciences building.
There are a limited number of parking meters in Lot DD; there are no parking meters in Parking Garage 2. Parking at non-metered spaces in Lot DD and PG2 is free after 4 pm and on weekends.
More information is available from the Department of Campus Parking.
Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-2421 Phone: (301) 405-3001 FAX: (301) 314-9067 Comments and questions may be directed to webmaster@astro.umd.edu
This page was automatically generated on:
11-Feb-2008.
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