Testing the Statistical Isotropy of the Universe

Huterer博士将在最大尺度上研究宇宙的统计各向同性，此前的其他研究表明，宇宙微波背景观测中的底层天空在统计上不是各向同性的。如果宇宙不是各向同性的，提取宇宙学参数的传统方法将是无效的，需要新的估计技术。这项资助的研究将研究从无线电到伽马射线波长的星系和其他来源的分布，并将补充基于先前卫星观测的传统研究。将使用多极矢量对天空中的宇宙学扰动进行另一种表示，用于测试大尺度结构和宇宙微波背景数据中的排列和各向同性。这项工作的更广泛影响将包括旨在辅导教师的教育/推广计划，以及参与安娜堡的国家历史展览博物馆（和天文馆），介绍宇宙学展览，并提高该机构在更广泛的底特律都会区的知名度。

Dr. Huterer will study statistical isotropy of the universe on its largest scales, following on other recent studies that indicate that the underlying sky in the cosmic microwave background observations is not statistically isotropic. Traditional approaches for extracting cosmological parameters would be invalid if the universe is not isotropic, requiring new techniques for estimation. The funded research will study the distribution of galaxies and other sources in surveys covering wavelengths from radio to gamma-ray, and will complement the traditional studies based on previous satellite observations. An alternative representation of cosmological perturbations on the sky using multipole vectors will be used for tests of alignments and isotropy in the large-scale structure and cosmic microwave background data. Broader impacts of this work will include an education/outreach program aimed at tutoring teachers, and involvement with the Exhibit Museum (and planetarium) of National History in Ann Arbor to introduce cosmology exhibits and increase visibility of this institution in the wider Detroit metro area.