Introduction to Cosmology Example Exam Question: Hints

Lecture 18: Cosmic Microwave Background: Analysis

You are an ESA astronomer who has been asked to design a next generation Cosmic Microwave Background experiment. Discuss the properties you would like this experiment to have, carefully explaining why they are important in the context of determining cosmological parameters. [5]
As with other 5-mark questions, you should put in as much relevant detail as you can (this does not mean simply writing down everything you can think of that has the words "cosmic microwave background" in it!). Probably you are expected to put together 5 points for 5 marks. You should consider:
  • where to locate the spacecraft, and why;
  • what instrumentation you need, and why;
  • the performance of the instruments;
  • the performance of the spacecraft (e.g. expected lifetime);
  • and indeed anything else you can think of!

(2005 Resit, Q4.)

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