2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/132094This is a short review, aimed at a general audience, of several current subjects of research in cosmology. The topics discussed include the cosmic microwave background (CMB), with particular emphasis on its relevance for testing inflation; dark matter, with a brief review of astrophysical evidence and more emphasis on particle candidates; and cosmic acceleration and some of the ideas that have been put forward to explain it. A glossary of technical terms and acronyms is provided.Submitted for publication in ``Visions of Discovery'' (in honor of Charles Townes), to be published by Cambridge University Press. 53 pages, 13 figuresAstrophysicstext