50 Years of the Cosmic Microwave Background - Discoveries and Future Prospects

Explore the history and significance of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) in this 35-minute lecture by John Mather from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Delve into the 50-year journey of CMB research, from its initial detection to its role in precision cosmology. Learn about the standard model of cosmology, dark matter, dark energy, and cosmic inflation. Discover breakthrough concepts in instrument development and theory, and gain insights into potential future discoveries in CMB research. Examine the spectrum, anisotropy, and polarization of the CMB, and understand its implications for our understanding of the early universe and fundamental forces. Engage with topics ranging from radio astronomy and the Hubble constant to NASA missions and angular power spectra.

Introduction
Before the Microwave Background
Radio Astronomy
Hubble
Cosmic Background Radiation
NASA
The Antenna
Space Age
Important Processes
Spectrum
Paul Richards
Science Team
Delta Rocket
Differential Spectrometer
Differential Microwave Radiometer
Map of the Cosmos
Chuck Bennett
Project Progress
Plank Mission
Angular Power Spectrum
Polarization
Next 50 Years
Questions