Three Tests of LambdaCDM

Abstract

The observational evidence for the acceleration of the universe demonstrates that canonical theories of gravitation and particle physics are incomplete, if not incorrect. A new generation of astronomical facilities will shortly be able to carry out precision consistency tests of the standard cosmological model and search for evidence of new physics beyond it. I describe some of these tests, focusing on the universality of nature's fundamental couplings and the characterization of the properties of dark energy. I will also comment on prospects for forthcoming ESA and ESO facilities in which the CAUP Dark Side team is involved.