Deep field image showing thousands of galaxies, created with JWST

Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

Mission statement

Scope

Conduct theoretical and observational investigations into the origin and evolution of the Universe, specifically the cosmic microwave background, large scale structure, the intergalactic medium and galaxies. Gain physical understanding into the fundamental nature of dark energy, dark matter, and gravity.

Facilitate collaboration in new scientific directions, taking advantage of our broad range of backgrounds, expertise and facilities. Develop and apply new data science techniques, and advance synergies between the observational and theoretical programmes within the group. Invest in approaches to tackle the next-generation computational challenges. Strengthen these actions through our involvement in world-leading astronomical facilities of the 2020s.

The Cosmology and Gravitation working group is composed of researchers working across a wide range of areas.  Group members are analyzing data from experiments that observe the cosmic microwave background, the physics of the early universe, the distribution of large scale cosmological structure, galaxies, the intergalactic medium, and the expansion history of the universe with Type Ia supernovae.  Theorists in the group are investigating evidence for both dark matter and dark energy, and their potential implications for general relativity.  Computational theorists are working with simulations of cosmology-related phenomena, such as the reionization of the Universe and galaxy evolution.

The Cosmology and Gravitation Working Group contains members involved in the following experiments: Intermediate Palomar Transient Factory (iPTF), Zwicky Transient Factory (ZTF), Planck collaboration, Vera C. Rubin Observatory, SUbaru Supernovae with Hubble Infrared (SUSHI), Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), Square Kilometer Array (SKA), and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

Meetings

Slack channel: #okc-cg

Upcoming meetings of the Cosmology & Gravity Working Group