Determination of cosmological parameters: an introduction for non-specialists

Abstract

I start by defining the cosmological parameters $H_0,{\Omega }_m$ and ${\Omega }_{\Lambda }$. Then I show how the age of the universe depends on them, followed by the evolution of the scale parameter of the universe for various values of the density parameters. Then I define strategies for measuring them, and show the results for the recent determination of these parameters from measurements on supernovas of type 1a. Implications for particle physics is briefly discussed at the end.

Comments: 12 pages, Latex with epsf.sty. Invited talk at the ``Discussion meeting on Recent Developments in Neutrino Physics'', held at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, February 2--4, 1999