| Abstract: |
21cm cosmology presents a unique opportunity to fill the gap in our understanding of the early Universe by bridging the CMB last scattering surface and the era of high-redshift galaxies observed by the JWST and ALMA. In my talk, I will discuss the latest theoretical developments, existing observational constraints, and exciting prospects for future observations. The formation of the first stars and the subsequent population of X-ray binaries drive a fundamental transition in the state of the Universe that the 21-cm signal can probe. Due to the lack of direct observations, the properties of these sources remain highly uncertain. The cosmological 21-cm signal contains unique information about the first generations of UV and X-ray sources as well as the impact of these sources on the environment. Observations of the 21-cm signal with the SKA and its precursors/pathfinders will open a new observational window, allowing us to significantly improve our understanding of these objects and the evolution of the Universe. |
