Maps of the Cosmos: The Cosmic Microwave Background

Abstract

Since the IAU XXIV meeting in 2000, the CMB anisotropy has matured from being one of a number of cosmological probes to forming the bedrock foundation for what is now the standard model of cosmology. The large advances over the past three years have come from making better and better maps of the cosmos. We review the state of measurements of the anisotropy and outline some of what we have learned since 2000. The recent advancements may be placed roughly into three categories: 1) What we learn from the CMB with minimal input from other cosmic measurements such as the Hubble constant; 2) What we learn from the CMB in combination with other probes of large scale structure; and 3) What we learn by using the CMB as a back light. Future directions are also discussed. It is clear: we have much more to learn from the CMB anisotropy.