Cosmology

Cosmology is the study of the large-scale structure and history of the universe. In particular, it deals with subjects regarding its origin. It is studied by Astronomy, Philosophy, and Religion.

Subjects in cosmology include:

Physical cosmology:

• The Big Bang
  • The shape of the universe in big bang theory
• Cosmic Background Radiation
• Beyond the standard Big Bang model
  • Quasi steady state theory
  • Cosmic inflation
• The Ultimate fate of the Universe
• Large Scale Structure of the Cosmos - few 100 Mpc - a few percent of the horizon[?]
• Galaxy Formation and Evolution
• The dark matter problem
• Topological defects[?]
• External reference: Ned Wright: Cosmology tutorial and FAQ, http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/cosmolog.htm

Because of the extreme circumstances during the first minutes of the universe's history, cosmologists often co-operate with scientists from areas such as Particle physics.

Borderline: physical or philosophical cosmology?

• cosmic variance - we only observe one copy of the Universe

Philosophical cosmology:

• Presocratic philosophers
• Anthropic principle

Religious cosmology:

• Creation myth
• Creationism

Alternative cosmology

• Plasma cosmology - scalable magnetohydrodynamic phenomenon

See also:

• Timeline of cosmology (as a science)
• Cosmological timeline (cosmological events, and some closer to home)