A plethora of cosmological surveys are underway to create high definition (HD) images of the universe across the electromagnetic spectrum. These multi-band HD images will produce the most detailed maps of the universe and provide a new platform for studying the inner workings of our cosmos, from the smallest constituents of matter to the largest known structures. Major challenges facing this cosmic frontier include (1) extreme dynamic range, (2) complexity of astrophysical processes, and (3) detecting small signals in massive, complex and noisy data. Solving this multi-scale, multi-physics and big data problem requires effective and creative use of emerging tools and techniques, such as computer simulations, analytical modeling and machine learning. In this talk, I will describe our research program to advance the use of complex systems, such as galaxy clusters, as a laboratory for cosmology and astrophysics. In particular, I will show that the outer envelope of galaxy clusters is a promising new territory for studying the physics of non-linear structure formation, shedding light on the nature of elusive dark matter, dark energy, and neutrinos, and testing gravity on cosmological scales. Applications of our findings to upcoming X-ray and microwave galaxy cluster surveys will be discussed.
Host: Meg Urry
Tea after the talk outside the lecture room