CAREER: Beyond Cosmological Parameters

University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

AST- 0134999 Max Tegmark Dr. Tegmark is awarded funds at the University of Pennsylvania to refine current cosmological models. These models will make use of existing and new data that include observations of the cosmic microwave background, galaxy surveys, supernova surveys, and others. With global analysis of these data, he expects to be able to address the natures of dark matter and dark energy beyond just their current density, the behavior of gravity on large scales, the nature of the early universe, and the history of structure formation in the universe. The PI will also initiate a high-school outreach program in the Philadelphia school district. The PI and graduate students will present lectures and demonstrations on cosmology to high-school science classes, hoping to recruit students into existing programs that typically reach only the affluent suburbs. In addition to his regular course development, the PI will also enhance his existing website on cosmology to contain a comprehensible introduction to state-of-the-art cosmology research in lay terms, intended for the general public.