Cosmology

Cosmology is the scientific study of the large scale properties of the universe as a whole. It endeavors to use the scientific method to understand the origin, evolution and ultimate fate of the entire Universe. Like any field of science, cosmology involves the formation of theories or hypotheses about the universe which make specific predictions for phenomena that can be tested with observations. Depending on the outcome of the observation, the theories will need to be abandoned, revised or extended to accommodate the data.

History of Cosmology

The study of the universe has a long history involving science, philosophy, esotericism, metaphysics, and religion. In many cultures the universe was thought to be infinite. This was the belief of the ancient Greek philosophers Parmenides (who claimed that the universe is unchanging) and Heraclitus (who claimed that it is changing). In contrast, the early Chinese, the Maya, and the American Indians thought of the universe as finite and small.

Modern Cosmology

The development of modern cosmology began with the Copernican principle, which states that the Earth is not the center of the universe. From this emerged the modern practice of comparing predicted observations with actual observations to test the details of a model of the universe. Modern cosmology has also been shaped by the discovery that the universe is expanding.

Cosmological Models

There are various models of the universe that have been proposed, including the Big Bang theory, the Steady State theory, and the Oscillating Universe theory. Each of these models makes different predictions about the universe and its future.

Observational Cosmology

Observational cosmology is the process of collecting and analyzing data about the physical universe beyond the Earth's atmosphere. This includes the study of the distribution of galaxies, the large-scale structure of the cosmos, the cosmic microwave background radiation, and the redshift of distant galaxies.

Theoretical Cosmology

Theoretical cosmology is the use of the scientific method to develop and refine comprehensive models that describe the universe. These models are then used to create predictions about the universe's past, present, and future.

See Also

• Big Bang
• Steady State theory
• Oscillating Universe theory
• Copernican principle
• Cosmic microwave background radiation
• Redshift

References

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  Hubble eXtreme Deep Field
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  Observable Universe Logarithmic Illustration