"This is an introduction to the physics, astrophysics and cosmology of the cosmic microwave background radiation. The standard big bang model of the universe is adopted at the outset. The topics then covered include the origin of the background, then intrinsic fluctuations, followed by the universe and background radiation after recombination. Finally, measurement of the radiation and its anisotropies is presented, together with a review of the current status of results and experiments.

The level is ideally suited to final-year undergraduates in physics or astronomy."--BOOK JACKET.