Cosmic Origins and Evolution

Cornell researchers are investigating the origins and evolution of the universe, from the first moments after the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies, stars, and large-scale cosmic structure across billions of years of cosmic history.

Our work combines observations across the electromagnetic spectrum with advanced theoretical modeling, simulations, and instrument development to understand how matter, dark matter, and dark energy shape the universe. Researchers play leading roles in studies of the cosmic microwave background, galaxy evolution, star formation, and the growth of structure in the early universe using observatories on the ground and in space. Cornell scientists are also developing cutting-edge detector technologies and instrumentation through collaborations that will create new generations of cosmological surveys and submillimeter observations. By connecting fundamental physics with the evolution of galaxies and cosmic environments over time, Cornell’s research in cosmic origins and evolution seeks to answer some of the deepest questions about how the universe began and how it became the cosmos we observe today.

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Accelerator Physics    Aesthetics & Media Studies    Algebra    Analysis    Analytical    Applied Mathematics    Astrophysics, General Relativity and Cosmology    Atmospheric Spectral Signatures    Bangla    Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Science    Bioinorganic    Biological Physics    Biology Education Research    Bioorganic    Biophysical    Astrobiology    Burmese    Chemical Biology    Chinese (Mandarin)    Cognition    Combinatorics and Discrete Geometry    Community and Urban Sociology    Community Ecology and Population Biology    Comparative and World Literature    Comparative Media Studies    Computational Social Science    Cosmic Origins and Evolution    Critical Studies of Race, Gender & Sexuality    Critical Studies of Race, Gender, and Sexuality    Critical Theory    Culture    Development    Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics    Early Modern Studies    Economy and Society    Engaging With Life on Earth    Evolutionary Patterns and Processes    Experimental Condensed Matter Physics    Experimental Elementary Particle Physics    Exoplanets    Gender    Geometry    Habitable Environments    Hindi-Urdu    Indonesian    Inequality and Social Stratification    Inorganic    Intimate Organismal Interactions and Chemical Ecology    Japanese    Kannada