What are the Cosmological monopole and dipole?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of the cosmological monopole and dipole, as well as higher multipoles, in relation to the temperature of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). It is explained that the monopole is the average temperature of the CMB and the dipole is affected by our motion with respect to the CMB. The higher multipoles are attributed to primordial temperature variations in the early universe and can be understood through the use of spherical harmonics. Overall, the conversation provides a deeper understanding of the concept of the cosmological monopole and dipole.
  • #1
jordy1113
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Hi there I'm currently studying cosmology but I'm having a hard time grasping that concept of the cosmological monopole and dipole (quadrupole etc) and was wondering if someone could explain what they are conceptually and physically. Thanks : )
 
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  • #2
The monopole is just the average temperature of the CMB. The dipole is dominated by our motion with respect to the CMB: the CMB gets blue-shifted in the direction of our motion, and redshifted opposite to our motion.

The higher multipoles are all from primordial variations in temperature from place to place in the early universe.
 
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  • #3
Similar to the way you can write a 1d function ##f(x)## as a sum of polynomials, or Fourier decompose it and write it as a sum/integral of ##\sin## functions, you can decompose a function ##g(\theta,\phi)## defined on the surface of a sphere as an infinite sum of the spherical harmonics. The CMB temperature as a function of position on the sky is a function defined on a sphere, so can be decomposed in this way. The first terms in these sums are the monopole and dipole terms, which have the interpretations @kimbyd gave.
 
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kimbyd said:
The monopole is just the average temperature of the CMB. The dipole is dominated by our motion with respect to the CMB: the CMB gets blue-shifted in the direction of our motion, and redshifted opposite to our motion.

The higher multipoles are all from primordial variations in temperature from place to place in the early universe.
Hey thanks this actually really helps me think about it better
 

1. What is a cosmological monopole?

A cosmological monopole is a hypothetical particle that is predicted to exist in the universe based on certain theories of particle physics and cosmology. It is thought to be a type of topological defect that formed during the early expansion of the universe.

2. How do cosmological monopoles differ from magnetic monopoles?

Cosmological monopoles are different from magnetic monopoles, which are predicted by certain theories of electromagnetism. While magnetic monopoles have a single magnetic pole, cosmological monopoles are topological defects in the fabric of space-time.

3. What is a cosmological dipole?

A cosmological dipole is a variation in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) that is thought to be caused by the relative motion between the Earth and the rest of the universe. This dipole is used to measure the velocity of the Earth with respect to the CMB frame of reference.

4. How are cosmological monopoles and dipoles related to the Big Bang theory?

Both cosmological monopoles and dipoles are predicted by certain theories that attempt to explain the origins of the universe, such as the Big Bang theory. These theories suggest that these particles and variations in the CMB were formed during the rapid expansion of the universe after the Big Bang.

5. Have cosmological monopoles and dipoles been detected?

As of now, there is no direct evidence for the existence of cosmological monopoles or dipoles. However, scientists continue to search for these particles and variations in the CMB through various experiments and observations. So far, these efforts have not yielded any conclusive results.

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