Geneva University seminars

Interpreting cosmological observations in a clumpy universe

by Pierre Fleury (IAP)

Europe/Zurich
Room 234 (Geneva University)

Room 234

Geneva University

24 quai E. Ansermet, CH-1211 Genève 4
Description
In the standard cosmological framework, observations are interpreted as if light propagated through a smooth, fluid-filled universe. However, the typical light beams involved in astronomical observations — such as supernovae — are extremely narrow, and thus probe the Universe at scales where the fluid description should no longer be valid. In this talk, I will explain how the clumpiness of the distribution of matter can affect light propagation through the cosmos, and thus the interpretation of our observations.