The Big Bang

This course introduces cosmology and covers topics such as radiation from galaxies, distances of galaxies, redshift variation with distance, microwave background radiation, and primordial nuclear abundances. The learning outcomes include understanding the basic principles of cosmology, the evidence for the Big Bang theory, and the formation of light nuclei. The course teaches skills in analyzing redshift data, interpreting microwave background radiation, and explaining the isotropy of the universe. The teaching method involves lectures, readings, and possibly practical exercises. The intended audience for this course is individuals interested in astronomy, astrophysics, or the origins of the universe.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Introducing cosmology
• 1 Introducing cosmology
• 2 Radiation from the galaxies
• 2 Radiation from the galaxies
• 3 Distances of galaxies
• 3 Distances of galaxies
• 3.1 First steps towards a distance scale
• 3.2 Some general properties of galaxies
• 3.3 Extending the distance scale
• 4 The variation of redshift with distance
• 4 The variation of redshift with distance
• 4.1 Hubble's discoveries
• 4.2 Evidence for a big bang
• 5 The microwave background radiation
• 5 The microwave background radiation
• 5.1 A second major discovery
• 5.2 The origin of the 3 K radiation
• 5.3 The redshift of the 3 K radiation
• 6 The angular distribution of the 3 K radiation
• 6 The angular distribution of the 3 K radiation
• 6.1 Basic isotropy
• 6.2 The effect of the motion of the Earth
• 6.2.1 The need for a reference frame for describing the Universe
• 6.2.2 The Earth's motion relative to the 3 K radiation
• 6.2.3 Measurement of the angular distribution of the 3 K radiation
• 6.2.4 The speed and direction of the Earth's motion
• 6.3 Anisotropies in the Universe itself
• 7 The primordial nuclear abundances
• 7 The primordial nuclear abundances
• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 The temperature of matter and radiation
• 7.3 The formation of light nuclei
• 7.4 Nuclear abundances as evidence for the big bang
• 8 Conclusion
• 8 Conclusion
• Summary
• Acknowledgements