Spatial Curvature, Dark Energy Dynamics, Neither, or Both

Explore the intriguing world of dark energy and spatial curvature in this comprehensive lecture by Prof. Bharat Ratra from Kansas State University. Delve into the observations that have led cosmologists to believe in the existence of dark energy as the dominant component of the universe's energy budget. Examine various simple dark energy models and their predictions, comparing them to observational data to derive model-parameter constraints and test data set consistency. Gain insights into the current state of cosmological research, including open questions in the field. This colloquium, presented at the Center for Theoretical Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, offers a deep dive into the complexities of modern cosmology and the ongoing quest to understand the fundamental nature of our universe.