Probing Fundamental Physics on Cosmological Scales

该奖项资助高级研究所的Matias Zaldriaga教授的研究活动。天文学和物理学有着悠久的共同历史。一个领域的进步和发现对另一个领域产生了深远的影响。对于我们对引力的理解来说，这一点尤其正确。如今，主要的公共领域已经从轨道动力学研究转向宇宙学。宇宙加速膨胀的发现可能是目前这两个领域如何交织在一起的最好例子之一。对我们宇宙起源的研究是另一个丰富的前沿。扎尔达里亚加教授的工作将改善我们对早期宇宙的理论理解，以及我们目前模型的可观察结果。它将改进我们对几个宇宙探测器的天体物理学的建模，并将进一步发展我们关于宇宙后期演化的理论，从而有助于解决暗物质和暗能量的突出谜团。该项目具有相当广泛的影响，包括研究生和博士后研究员的培训。天文学是一门对公众有广泛吸引力的学科，尤其是宇宙学和我们宇宙的起源。扎尔达里亚加教授将继续他的外展工作，包括公开讲座、访问初中和高中，以及在老年人中心举办一系列讲座。

This award funds the research activities of Professor Matias Zaldarriaga at the Institute for Advanced Study. Astronomy and physics have a long and shared history. Advances and discoveries in one field have had profound consequences on the other. This is particularly true for our understanding of gravity. These days the major common arena has moved from the study of orbital dynamics to cosmology. The discovery of the accelerated expansion of the Universe is perhaps one of the best examples of how the two fields are currently intertwined. The study of the beginnings of our Universe is another rich frontier. The work of Professor Zaldarriaga will improve our theoretical understanding of the early universe and the observable consequences of our current models. It will improve our modeling of the astrophysics of several cosmological probes and will further our theories for the late time evolution of the universe, thus helping address the outstanding mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.This project has considerable broader impacts, including the training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Astronomy is a subject of broad appeal to the public; cosmology and the origins of our universe in particular. Professor Zaldarriaga will continue his outreach efforts which include public lectures, visits to middle and high schools and a lecture series at a senior citizen center.