Degree Scale Anisotropy: Current Status

Abstract

The Cosmic Background Radiation gives us one of the few probes into the density perturbations in the early universe that should later lead to the formation of structure we now observe. Recent advances in degree scale anisotropy measurements have allowed us to begin critically testing cosmological models. Combined with the larger scale measurements from COBE we are now able to directly compare data and theory. These measurements promise future progress in understanding structure formation. Because of the extreme sensitivities needed (1-10 ppm) and the difficulties of foreground sources, these measurements require not only technological advances in detector and measurement techniques, but multi spectral measurements and careful attention to low level systematic errors. This field is advancing rapidly and is in a true discovery mode. Our own group has been involved in a series of eleven experiments over the last six years using the ACME (Advanced Cosmic Microwave Explorer) payload which has made measurements at angular scales from 0.3 to 3 degrees and over a wavelength range from 1 to 10 mm. The recent data from these and other measurements will be reviewed as well as some of the challenges and potential involved in these and future measurements.