The Expanding Universe & The Big Bang Model

B.Sc Physics Project Report, 1998

Author: Alex C Punnen

Contents

Part I: The Expanding Universe

1. Methods in Observational Astronomy (Optical Telescopes)
2. Estimating the Distance Scale of the Universe
   • a. Trigonometric Parallax Method
   • b. H-R Diagram
   • b1. H-R Diagram of Nearby Star Clusters, Main Sequence Fitting
   • c. H-R Diagram Used in Determining Distances
   • c1. Distance to the Hyades Cluster - Moving Cluster Method
   • d. Cepheids as Distance Indicators
3. Expansion of the Universe
   • a. The Hubble's Law
   • b. The Implications of Hubble's Law
   • b1. The Age of the Universe
   • b2. Determination of the Large Scale Structure of the Universe

Part II: The Big Bang Model of the Origin of the Universe

1. Distribution of Radio Galaxies and Quasars
2. Olbers' Paradox and Its Resolution
3. The Prediction of Cosmic Background Radiation
4. The Discovery of Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
5. The Hot Big Bang
6. Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (He Abundance - Confirmation of Big Bang Theory)
7. Conclusion
8. References

Originally submitted as a B.Sc Physics Project Report, 1998