SPIDER and the future of cosmic microwave background observations

by Jón Gudmundsson (OKC)

Tuesday 8 Mar 2016, 13:15 → 14:30 Europe/Stockholm

FA31

A number of CMB research avenues designed to test the established cosmological framework are emerging. Using the SPIDER balloon-borne experiment as an example, I will discuss the significance of these endeavors and try to emphasize some of the technical challenges; including the role of foregrounds, atmosphere, and systematics. I will also discuss the future of stratospheric payloads with particular focus on recent developments in super-pressure ballooning. In this context, I will promote two balloon experiments: an optical telescope pathfinder designed to probe weak lensing cluster masses and a CMB polarimeter that could significantly improve constraints on the optical depth to reionization.