Marc Kamionkowski
California Institute
of Technology
Inflation predicts that the Universe is homogeneous and isotropic---that is, it is the same everywhere and in every direction. Cosmological homogeneity and isotropy are generally *assumed* to be true, but this is a prediction that can be tested quantitatively. I will first discuss some new tests of statistical homogeneity and isotropy. I will then review briefly some recent evidence that may show a departure from homogeneity and present a theoretical model that may account for this anomaly. In the last few minutes, I may speculate wildly about the pre-inflationary Universe.
Friday, February 26, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Room L211, Technological Institute
Refreshments are served at 3:30 PM
