Cosmologists converse mainly in acronyms or in words like dark energy and quintessence that sound like alchemists' concoctions. Would you like to know what they are talking about? Would you like to work a cosmo-sounding word into your cocktail conversation? If so, this glossary is for you: CosmoSpeak.

Cosmology Primer, by Prof. Sean Carroll

• Overview: A brief summary of the major features of our universe.
• The Expanding Universe: The basic picture of modern cosmology: a smooth, expanding spacetime.
• The Evolving Universe: A schematic timeline of major events, from the Big Bang to today.
• The Luminous Universe: What we see when we look into the sky, from galaxies to cosmic rays.
• The Dark Universe: Most of the stuff in the universe is unseen: dark matter and dark energy.
• The Early Universe: Remnants of the Big Bang: the microwave background and primordial nuclei.
• The Really Early Universe: Inflation, baryogenesis, and the beginning of time.
• The Measured Universe: The instruments and techniques we use to do observations and experiments.
• FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about cosmology.
• Additional Resources: Links to resources at KICP and elsewhere.
• Glossary: A list of cosmological terms.

• Electronic Media Exhibits & Technology
  • Exploration of the Large Scale Structure of the Universe
    • SDSS Data (3D interactive, 2D interactive, movie)
    • Dark Matter Simulations
  • Ultra High Energy Cosmic Ray Shower - Auger
  • Virtual Visits to KICP Science (3D & 2D)
    • VR Veritas
    • VR APO/SDSS
    • Stereo Photos of Veritas, Auger, & SDSS
• KICP Workshop "Visualization of Astrophysical Data: Bringing Together Science, Art, and Education"

• Mapping, 2007 Yerkes Summer Institute (4-10 August 2007)
• Extreme Astronomy @ the Planetarium, 2004 Cosmology Short Course for planetarium staff (24-26 September 2004)
• What are Stars Made of?, 2004 Yerkes Summer Institute (7-13 August 2004)
• Phase Changes, 2003 Yerkes Winter Institute (27-29 December 2003)
• Origin of Structure in the Universe, 2003 Cosmology Short Course for planetarium staff (26-28 September 2003)
• How Big is the Universe, 2003 Yerkes Summer Institute (2-8 August 2003)
• Scaling Up, 2002 Yerkes Winter Institute (27-29 December 2002)
• Radio Waves, 2002 Yerkes Summer Institute (3-9 August 2002)
• Sound Investigations, 2001 Yerkes Winter Institute (27-29 December 2001)
• The New Cosmology: From Quantum Fuzz to the Accelerating Universe, 2001 Chautauqua Short Course for College Teachers (26-28 October 2001)

Information for the inquisitive, including lecture slides, animations, laboratory activities, photos, and things everyone should know about their universe:

• Seven Things to Know and Seven Questions to Answer [PDF], by Michael Turner
• Cosmology at Planetaria? [PDF] [Web slides], by Randall H. Landsberg : Presentation at the Great Lakes Planetarium Association (GLPA), 24 October 2002
• Sketching the Biggest Picture -- The Adventure of Experimental Cosmology [Online lecture slides], by Clem Pryke : The Arthur H. Compton 55th Lecture Series for the general public, 4-15 June 2002
• The New Cosmology: From Inflation to Dark Matter and Dark Energy [PDF] [Web slides], by Michael Turner : Presentation at National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), 23 March 2002
• The New Cosmology: From Quantum Fuzz to the Accelerating Universe [Online talks] : 2001 Chautauqua Short Course for College Teachers, 26-28 October 2001