The Early Universe

Abstract

In this chapter, we begin to assemble resources previously developed to probe back to the earliest times in the existence of the Universe and the Galaxy. In this quest we hope to clarify the origin of the chemical elements, identify processes that led to the formation of galaxies and stars, and come to an understanding of the factors that played a role in the formation of the Earth and planets. To this end, we start with an investigation of what might be learned from an analysis of the background radiation reaching us from the most distant parts of the Universe.