The Atomic Age

• microphysics -- birth of bound atoms in (re)combination: sketches here and here
• U goes from ionized (plasma) to neutral (gas)
• U also goes from opaque to transparent
• surface of last scattering

Cosmic Microwave Background Fluctuations

• the CMB sky, normal contrast
• high-contrast (1000X): CMB dipole
• higher contrast (100,000X):
  • COBE (1995) -- recognized as landmark result
    WMAP (2003): image making: raw, final product
    COBE vs WMAP
  • fluctuations vs angular scale: WMAP power spectrum
  • cool WMAP movies
• physical origin of fluctuations
• polarization: from WMAP

Cosmic Microwave Background and Cosmic Geometry

• cosmic curvature
• possible geometries illustrated
• link between geometry and fate
• measuring curvature with WMAP