Planck and the new era of precision cosmology: a confirmation of the "lambda CDM" model or the inspiration for new dreams?

Luogo: Polo Scientifico Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari – Aula n. A102 - Via Sommarive 5 - PovoRelatore:

Relatore: Prof. Nazzareno Mandolesi
                 University of Ferrara, Department of Physics and Earth Sciences

Abstract:
In the last century cosmology has witnessed the development of brilliant new physical theories as well as great experimental discoveries. Among the latter, the discovery of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) has a special place. Nowadays, CMB observations are one of the most powerful tools of the new era of precision cosmology. The ESA satellite Planck, the third CMB space mission after COBE and WMAP, has boosted the precision cosmological measurements showing the most detailed maps of the intensity and polarization of CMB anisotropies. The cosmology that can be derived from the maps confirms the ΛCDM model as the standard model of cosmology but at the same time leaves plenty of space for new ideas and dreams.