The cosmology research line focuses on the theory of inflation in order to embed it in the microscopic theories of supergravity and string theory.

The master's specialisation Astronomy and Cosmology at Leiden University covers all aspects of modern astrophysics, including observation, interpretation, simulation and theory. This programme is essentially based on combined research in astronomy and physics and is therefore open for students with…

The master’s specialisation Cosmology at Leiden University is positioned at the interface between Theoretical Physics and Observational Astronomy. The main elements are theory, data analysis and numerical simulations, with research on the origin of dark matter as one of the highlights.

Our research primarily focuses on the early universe and its origins in theories that go beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.

Promotor: K. Kuijken, Co-Promotor: H. Hoekstra

Promotor: Prof.dr. A. Achucarro, Co-Promotor: J.W. van Holten

Context and contents of the Izcatqui manuscript in the Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam

Three major cosmology-focused missions are planned for the next decade: the Euclid space telescope, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

The civilizations of ancient China and Mesoamerica, although not historically related and obviously different in many specific aspects (such as language and writing), show many interesting commonalities and similar tendencies in their cultural manifestations.

Lecture, Oort lecture

Promotor: Prof.dr. A. Achucarro

Improvements of weak gravitational lensing shape measurements are presented and some used for data analysis.

Promotor: A. Achúcarro, Co-Promotor: G.A. Palma

Astronomer Henk Hoekstra has been appointed Professor Observational Cosmology at the Leiden Observatory with effect from 1 August.

Until 15 May, Open Space will give room for artistic creation and experimentation in a partnership between artists and astronomers. The project is a collaboration among Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), Korzo and the Leiden Observatory. Starting on 3 May, young dancers of NDT 2, three choreographers, three…

The Fritz Zwicky Prize 2022 for Astrophysics & Cosmology has been awarded to Prof. Ewine F. van Dishoeck for her pioneering, decades-long work in astrochemistry and molecular spectroscopy, as well as for her leadership within the astronomical community. The award was announced today by the European…

The theoretical explanation of cosmic acceleration is nowadays one of the biggest puzzles in cosmology.

We explored the Universe using weak gravitational lensing, a phenomenon that occurs when light from distant galaxies is bent by the gravitational fields of closer cosmic objects, much like how a lens distorts light.

Promotor: J. Schaye

Does gravity work the same when you look at the largest scales in our universe? That’s what Leiden physicist Alessandra Silvestri will study with a 2 million euro ERC Consolidator grant. ‘We assume that it does, but we don’t actually know.’

Not only dark matter, but also ordinary matter and dark energy are tracked in the largest ever cosmological computer simulation ever. In the FLAMINGO simulations, you can see virtual galaxies and clusters of galaxies emerging over the course of billions of years. This is no easy task: with more than…

Cosmologists have many possible models for the Universe, of which only one can be true. A new flowchart will eliminate some of them when two specific Universe features are accurately measured. Publication in Physical Review D on 7 November.

The ultimate goal of cosmologists is to find a cosmological model able to explain the current observational data.

This thesis is about cosmological inflation and its relation to observations.

Galaxy intrinsic alignments induce a major astrophysical contamination to weak gravitational lensing measurements and need to be modelled and mitigated when extracting cosmological information from such measurements.

The focus of the dissertation

Galaxies in the Universe are distributed along the intricate framework of the Cosmic Web. Groups and clusters of galaxies comprise the densest regions in this network, and therefore, are excellent cosmic laboratories to study different aspects of galaxy evolution in extreme environments.

The thesis explores how interstellar chemistry evolves as a function of time and changing physical architectures during the formation of stars.

This thesis contributes to studying primordial cosmology theories and their detectability in future observations.

Dynamics of material, social and ideological relationships in the pre-Columbian insular Caribbean

Of all the mass in our Universe, 80% is thought to consist of a hypothetical and invisible substance called dark matter (DM).

The first direct detection of gravitational waves opened the possibility of mapping the Universe via this new and independent messenger.

Promotor: A. Achúcarro Co-promotor: A. Boyarsky

At the largest scales, two ingredients dictate the distribution of matter in the Universe. The first is dark matter, acting as an invisible scaffolding held together by gravitational forces.

Understanding how galaxies form, interact, and evolve comes largely from comparing theory predictions with observational data. Numerical simulations of galaxies provide the most accurate approach to testing the theory, as they follow the non-linear evolution of gas and dark matter in great detail and…

This thesis is dedicated to the exploration of the primordial dark ages: unknown physics during the earliest stages of the Universe’s expansion that have not yet been directly probed by observations. Cosmic inflation is a burst of exponential expansion of space after the “Big Bang”.

We are cosmologists, in other words we use physics to study the Universe, how it started and evolved into the structure that we observe around us.

You have ample opportunity to assemble your own study path in Cosmology. The courses cover the full spectrum from theoretical early universe to observational cosmology.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Franx, Co-Promotor: Rychard Bouwens

Promotores: Prof.dr. M. Franx & Prof.dr. P.G. van Dokkum (Yale University)

In the early universe, the dynamics of the Higgs field can give rise to many interesting phenomena.

Promotor: Koen Kuijken Co-promotor: Henk Hoekstra

In the spirit of 'unity in diversity', our objective is to promote insight into and appreciation for the wonder that the same physical laws and mathematical concepts apply to the whole of nature, from the largest to the smallest energy and length scales. We strive for the application of abstract theoretical…

Promotor: M. Franx, Co-Promotor: I.F. Labbé

What are the 'dark' components of the universe?