Cosmologies

Cosmologies are frameworks for understanding the origin, evolution, and structure of the universe. In scientific contexts, cosmology studies the physical properties of the cosmos as a whole, including spacetime, matter, energy, and the laws that govern them. Cosmology is distinguished from cosmogony, which focuses on origins of particular systems. Philosophical and religious cosmologies address fundamental questions about existence, time, and purpose, often using different methods and assumptions.

Modern physical cosmology relies on general relativity and observational data. The prevailing model, Lambda-CDM, posits a universe that began with a hot, dense state about 13.8 billion years ago, underwent inflation, and evolved to form galaxies and large-scale structure. It includes dark energy (cosmological constant) and cold dark matter. Evidence includes the cosmic microwave background, cosmic expansion, large-scale structure, and primordial element abundances.

Ongoing work seeks to refine parameter values, understand the nature of dark components, and test inflation. Key open questions include the precise curvature of space, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and possible new physics beyond the standard model. Some approaches explore modified gravity or multiverse ideas; others emphasize reducing uncertainties within the Lambda-CDM framework.