| Abstract: | In the nearly 50 years since its discovery, the cosmic microwave background has provided a wealth of information about the structure and evolution of the Universe. Two satellites and many experiments measured the properties of the radiation; four Nobel prizes have been awarded. Yet even more exciting information will become available soon. Planck, a currently flying European satellite, is scheduled to release data in the end of 2012, and a host of other experiments are attempting to find signatures of an inflationary period shortly after the big bang. In this presentation we will review the discoveries to date and will focus on the advances that are likely to occur over the next decade. |
