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SUMMARY:Cosmology on Small Scales: The Baryonic Frontier Abstract: - Borya
 na Hadzhiyska (IoA)
DTSTART:20260508T103000Z
DTEND:20260508T113000Z
UID:TALK238060@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:133030
DESCRIPTION:On the largest scales\, the Universe is remarkably simple. The
  growth of structure is governed primarily by gravity\, allowing cosmology
  to make spectacularly precise predictions that have been confirmed by obs
 ervations. Yet on smaller scales\, this simplicity breaks down. The ordina
 ry matter\, consisting of gas\, stars\, black holes and galaxies\, introdu
 ces complex physical processes that reshape the distribution of matter in 
 ways that remain poorly understood.\nIn this talk\, I will argue that this
  “messy” regime is not merely a complication\, but a new frontier. Bar
 yonic physics sits at the interface between cosmology and astrophysics: it
  governs how galaxies form and evolve\, while simultaneously limiting our 
 ability to extract cosmological information from small-scale structure. Un
 derstanding this interplay requires connecting the galaxy-halo relation\, 
 the thermodynamic state of cosmic gas\, and the impact of feedback from st
 ars and supermassive black holes.\nI will highlight how a new generation o
 f observations is beginning to directly map the distribution and propertie
 s of baryons across cosmic time. By combining large-scale galaxy surveys s
 uch as DESI and Rubin Observatory with measurements of cosmic microwave ba
 ckground secondary anisotropies and X-ray emission\, we can probe gas dens
 ity\, pressure\, temperature\, and total matter in a unified framework. Th
 ese measurements open the door to tracking baryons as a function of halo m
 ass\, redshift\, and galaxy type\, transforming them from a source of unce
 rtainty into a powerful cosmological probe.\nUltimately\, bridging the gap
  between small-scale astrophysics and large-scale cosmology will be essent
 ial for the next era of precision cosmology\, and may offer new insights i
 nto the nature of dark matter\, dark energy\, and structure formation itse
 lf.
LOCATION:Hoyle Lecture Theatre\, Institute of Astronomy (In-person/Streame
 d)
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