Cosmology

Cosmology is a growing field of research at the University of Minnesota and spans a wide range of approaches from theoretical studies to observations with telescopes and laboratory measurements. With telescopes from Arizona to Antarctica as well as the use of numerous space-based facilities, the University of Minnesota Cosmology researchers travel the globe in search of answers to some of the deepest questions we have as humans: “How did the universe begin?”, “When were the first stars formed?”, “What is dark matter?” and “How do galaxies evolve over cosmic time?”  This research includes searches for very high energy gamma rays, experimental studies of cosmic microwave background radiation, observations and theoretical models of galaxy formation, research into the formation of the first stars and metal abundances at high redshifts, theoretical studies of big bang nucleosynthesis and early universe physics, theoretical work in nuclear astrophysics, work on gravitational lensing, and laboratory searches for dark matter and gravitational waves.