Cosmology, cosmic chemical evolution, and the age problem

Abstract

This is an overview of the current efforts to clarify the age of the universe from nucleocosmochronology, globular clusters, local stars and white dwarf cooling, and the Hubble expansion rate. A particular emphasis is placed upon areas where nuclear physics continues to play a crucial role. There have been numerous recent breakthroughs in cosmology, nucleosynthesis and astrometry. These have significantly refined our understanding of cosmic ages. Although in the past these various methods seemed to imply different ages (the age problem), there is now mounting evidence that all of these methods point toward a concordant age of 13±2 Gyr.