University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext 32215
Fax: (519) 746-8115
Professor and Distinguished Research Chair in Astrophysics
Department of Physics & Astronomy, UWaterloo
Analyses of galaxy clustering in surveys such as the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS), have provided robust cosmological measurements such that they are now considered as one of the pillars of modern observational cosmology. In this seminar I will briefly introduce the physics behind these measurements including those made using the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation and Redshift Space Distortion features. I will highlight some recent developments including the results of tests of General Relativity. I will then discuss tests of cosmology that can be made on smaller scales focussing on modelling voids. Future surveys including the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), and the Euclid satellite mission, undertaken over the next decade, will provide an order of magnitude more information and I will introduce these surveys and discuss predictions for the expected measurements. Finally, I will review some of the developments required to fully exploit their potential and reach the promised statistical errors.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.