Cosmological models confronted with observations

Translate cosmological models into distance, lensing, clustering, and microwave-background observables, tracking degeneracies and limits of inference.

10 published lessons1 module296 min of guided study
  1. 01
    Cosmological models confronted with observationsresearch · 10 lessons

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Cosmological models confronted with observations

Translate cosmological models into distance, lensing, clustering, and microwave-background observables, tracking degeneracies and limits of inference.

  1. 01

    Distance measures and distance duality

    Translate angles, fluxes, and redshifts into explicitly defined FLRW distances, then test the assumptions behind reciprocity.

    28 min
  2. 02

    Standard candles and supernova Hubble diagrams

    Build a standardized supernova distance modulus while tracking absolute calibration, correlated errors, and selection.

    29 min
  3. 03

    Baryon acoustic oscillations as standard rulers

    Infer distance-to-ruler ratios from transverse and radial BAO while separating late-time geometry from early-time calibration.

    29 min
  4. 04

    Cosmic microwave background acoustic peaks

    Connect coherent photon–baryon oscillations to angular spectra while distinguishing acoustic geometry, transfer physics, and cosmic variance.

    30 min
  5. 05

    CMB polarization and E–B mode decomposition

    Distinguish local Stokes measurements from spatial E/B patterns, including rotation conventions and foreground or lensing contamination.

    30 min
  6. 06

    Weak gravitational lensing and cosmic shear

    Relate local image distortion to projected matter while tracking reduced shear, redshift kernels, and mass-sheet degeneracy.

    30 min
  7. 07

    Galaxy bias and redshift-space distortions

    Derive a linear anisotropic clustering prediction and expose its bias, velocity, amplitude, and survey-window assumptions.

    29 min
  8. 08

    Cosmological likelihoods and parameter degeneracy

    Construct correlated-data likelihoods with nuisance parameters, finite-covariance caveats, and a transparent calibration-floor example.

    30 min
  9. 09

    Dark-energy equations of state and model tests

    Translate a specified equation of state into expansion and acceleration, then separate a parametrized fit from a physical discovery.

    30 min
  10. 10

    Cosmological tensions and systematic cross-checks

    Quantify a dated one-parameter discrepancy and design cross-checks that distinguish correlated errors, model dependence, and new-physics proposals.

    31 min
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