The origin of the Universe & evolution of large scale structure and how it affects your observing

This talk is geared toward astronomy enthusiasts and amateur astronomers. I'll provide an overview of the origin of the Universe, early galaxy & stellar formation, and the evolution of large scale structure. Also, I'll discuss the latest research, including exciting insights from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and some of the 'tensions' that are animating and roiling the research community. We'll then delve into how the formation of the universe affects what we observe astronomically and how these insights can make your observing more enjoyable.