The Frontiers of Observational Cosmology and the Confrontation with Theory

Malcolm Longair

The standard Lambda-CDM cosmology has proved to be a remarkably robust framework for astrophysical and theoretical cosmology. The observational evidence and the potential areas for critical disagreement with the predictions of the models will be explored. The observational priorities are to continue to improve the precision with which theory and observation can be compared. Among the most important interactions between theory and observation are probing the nature of the dark energy by observation, testing general relativity on the largest scales accessible to us and probing the inflationary era. The prospects and challenges in achieving this programme will be reviewed and future observational programmes discussed.