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The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is the radiation left over from the Big Bang. Recent analysis of the fluctuations in this radiation has given us valuable insights into our Universe and its parameters. Examining the theory of CMB and recent developments, this textbook starts with a brief introduction to modern cosmology and its main successes, followed by a thorough derivation of cosmological perturbation theory. It then explores the generation of initial fluctuations by inflation. The Boltzmann equation governs the evolution of CMB anisotropies and polarization is derived using the total angular momentum method. Cosmological parameter estimation and the lensing of CMB fluctuations and spectral distortions are also discussed. This textbook is the first to contain a full derivation of the theory of CMB anisotropies and polarization. Ideal for graduate students and researchers in this field, it includes end-of-chapter exercises, and solutions to selected exercises are provided.

Cosmic background radiation. --- Cosmic background radiation --- Background radiation, Cosmic --- Cosmic microwave background --- Cosmic microwave radiation --- Microwave background --- Extraterrestrial radiation

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Spectacular observational breakthroughs, particularly by the WMAP satellite, have led to a new epoch of CMB science long after its original discovery. Taking a physical approach, the authors of this volume, which was first published in 2006, probe the problem of the 'darkness' of the Universe: the origin and evolution of dark energy and matter in the cosmos. Starting with the observational background of modern cosmology, they provide an accessible review of this fascinating yet complex subject. Topics discussed include the kinetics of the electromagnetic radiation in the Universe, the ionization history of cosmic plamas, the origin of primordial perturbations in light of the inflation paradigm, and the formation of anisotropy and polarization of the CMB. This fascinating review will be valuable to advanced students and researchers in cosmology.

Cosmic background radiation. --- Microwaves. --- Micro-ondes --- Hertzian waves --- Electric waves --- Electromagnetic waves --- Geomagnetic micropulsations --- Radio waves --- Shortwave radio --- Background radiation, Cosmic --- Cosmic microwave background --- Cosmic microwave radiation --- Microwave background --- Extraterrestrial radiation

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Nominated as an outstanding thesis by Professor Robert Crittenden of the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation in Portsmouth, and winner of the Michael Penston Prize for 2014 given by the Royal Astronomical Society for the best doctoral thesis in Astronomy or Astrophysics, this work aims to shed light on one of the most important probes of the early Universe: the bispectrum of the cosmic microwave background. The CMB bispectrum is a potential window on exciting new physics, as it is sensitive to the non-Gaussian features in the primordial fluctuations, the same fluctuations that evolved into today’s planets, stars and galaxies. However, this invaluable information is potentially screened, as not all of the observed non-Gaussianity is of primordial origin. Indeed, a bispectrum arises even for perfectly Gaussian initial conditions due to non-linear dynamics, such as CMB photons scattering off free electrons and propagating in an inhomogeneous Universe. Dr. Pettinari introduces the reader to this intrinsic bispectrum in a pedagogic way, building up from the standard model of cosmology and from cosmological perturbation theory, the tool cosmologists use to unravel the history of the cosmos. In doing so, he introduces SONG, a new and efficient code for solving the second-order Einstein and Boltzmann equations. Next, he moves on to answer the crucial question: is the intrinsic bispectrum going to screen the primordial signal in the CMB? Using SONG, he computes the intrinsic bispectrum and shows how its contamination leads to a small bias in the estimates of primordial non-Gaussianity, a great news for the prospect of using CMB data to probe primordial non-Gaussianity.

Astrophysics --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Cosmic background radiation. --- X-ray astronomy. --- Background radiation, Cosmic --- Cosmic microwave background --- Cosmic microwave radiation --- Microwave background --- Extraterrestrial radiation --- Astronomy --- Space astronomy --- X-rays --- Cosmology. --- Classical and Quantum Gravitation, Relativity Theory. --- Gravitation. --- Field theory (Physics) --- Matter --- Physics --- Antigravity --- Centrifugal force --- Relativity (Physics) --- Deism --- Metaphysics --- Properties

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In this decade, the transient universe will be mapped out in great detail by the emerging wide-field multiwavelength surveys, and neutrino and gravitational-wave detectors, promising to probe the astronomical and physical origin of the most extreme relativistic sources. This volume introduces the physical processes relevant to the source modeling of the transient universe. Ideal for graduate students and researchers in astrophysics, this book gives a unified treatment of relativistic flows associated with compact objects, their dissipation and emission in electromagnetic, hadronic and gravitational radiation. After introducing the source classes, the authors set out various mechanisms for creating magnetohydodynamic outflows in winds, jets and blast waves and their radiation properties. They then go on to discuss properties of accretion flows around rotating black holes and their gravitational wave emission from wave instabilites with implications for the emerging gravitational wave experiments. Graduate students and researchers can gain an understanding of data analysis for gravitational-wave data.

Relativistic astrophysics. --- Magnetohydrodynamics. --- Cosmic background radiation. --- Gravitational waves. --- Gravitational radiation --- Gravity waves (Astrophysics) --- General relativity (Physics) --- Gravitational fields --- Radiation --- Waves --- Background radiation, Cosmic --- Cosmic microwave background --- Cosmic microwave radiation --- Microwave background --- Extraterrestrial radiation --- Magneto-hydrodynamics --- MHD (Physics) --- Fluid dynamics --- Plasma dynamics --- Astrophysics --- Relativity (Physics)

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The aim of this volume is to summarize the current status and future outlook of the reionization field on both the theoretical and observational fronts. It brings together leading experts in many sub-disciplines, highlighting the measurements that are likely to drive the growing understanding of reionization and the cosmic dawn, and lays out a roadmap to interpreting the wealth of upcoming observations. The birth of the first stars and galaxies, and their impact on the diffuse matter perme­ating the early Universe, is one of the final frontiers in cosmology. Recently, measure­ments of the fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), sourced only a few hundred thousand years after the Big Bang, provided robust insight into the overall physical content of our Universe. On the other end of the timeline, groundbreaking telescopes provide us a picture of the complexities of the galaxy-rich universe in which we now live. However, we know almost nothing about the astrophysics of the first billion years. During this relatively brief epoch, a tiny fraction of matter condensed inside the first galaxies, forming the first stars. This culminated in the final major phase change of our universe, cosmological reionization, which lifted the cosmic fog and allowed visible light to spread throughout space. This mysterious ep­och of reionization corresponds to the transition between the relative simplicity of the early universe and the complexity of the present-day one. It is fundamental in understanding cosmic origins, and its impact on structure formation resonates even to this day. Until recently, there was very little observational insight into the epoch of reionization. Subsequent observational and theoretical advancements have begun to paint a picture of a complicated, extended, inhomogeneous process. At its core, the process of cosmological reionization involves understanding how stars and clumps of gas impact each other and eventually the entire Universe. The challenges associated with such an enormous range of relevant scales, coupled with our relatively poor understanding of the dominant astrophysics, have thus far impeded efforts to form a solid theoretical framework. As such, the interpretation of the reionization data currently available remains controversial even as the wealth of data is increasing thanks to more sophisticated analytical and numerical approaches. Investigations have become subtler, discarding the “one size fits all” approach in favor of focused studies with specialized tools, placing astrophysics on the cusp of a dramatic increase in knowledge. What is the best use of limited observational resources? How to develop theoretical tools tailored for each observation? Ultimately, what will be learned about the epoch of reionization and the Universe’s galactic ancestors?

Astrophysics --- Astronomy - General --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Astrophysics. --- Radiative transfer. --- Interstellar hydrogen. --- Cosmic background radiation. --- Quasars. --- QSOs (Astronomy) --- Quasi-stellar radio sources --- Background radiation, Cosmic --- Cosmic microwave background --- Cosmic microwave radiation --- Microwave background --- Transfer, Radiative --- Astronomical physics --- Epoch of reionization. --- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology. --- EoR (Epoch of reionization) --- Reionization era --- Cosmogony --- Radio sources (Astronomy) --- Extraterrestrial radiation --- Hydrogen --- Interstellar matter --- Geophysics --- Heat --- Radiation --- Transport theory --- Astronomy --- Cosmic physics --- Physics --- Radiation and absorption --- Astronomy.