CMB Acoustic Peaks
Schematic CMB TT spectrum with acoustic peaks and a last-scattering temperature map on a sphere.
About this tool
Explore how cosmological parameters shift the CMB temperature power spectrum and a stylized last-scattering sky.
The D_ℓ = ℓ(ℓ+1)C_ℓ/2π curve is a schematic (Gaussian acoustic peaks + Silk damping), not a Boltzmann-code output. Raising Ω_b h² boosts odd peaks; raising Ω_m h² moves the sound horizon and shifts ℓ₁.
The sphere is a low-ℓ temperature anisotropy map (not a HEALPix Planck map). Last scattering is at z⋆ ≈ 1090. Press Render to compute.