Cosmology 101

Cosmology is the study of the Cosmos. Basically, cosmology tries to explain how the Universe became what it is today, and how it has developed since the Big Bang (which, of course, is nothing but a cosmological theory).

Cosmology is a field which requires insight into many other scientific areas, like mathematics, astronomy, physics and chemistry. By applying different explanations to what we observe, scientists can fuse scientific thought to create cross-field theories about our universe.

It is also a field of vast controversy, where philosophy meets science in a big way. Many cosmological views are non-scientific and are based on religious faith or conviction. But, critics argue, where is the science in a field where there is currently only a sample of one universe? Would we categorically state something about, say, a bird if there was only one bird to observe?

Cosmologists seek to solve this dilemma by studying phenomena like dark matter and dark energy, and how matter is distributed in the universe, to confirm theories and formulate new ones. Cosmology is one field where science will perhaps never get it "right".

Among the most recent discoveries, we find evidence that time can only flow in one direction, and that there are structures in the Universe which are incredibly large. Learn more from the links below, and remember to take the poll before you leave!