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Terms of use
Last updated 16 October 2026
The short version: this site is for learning and curiosity. It simplifies real science on purpose, so always check the original source before relying on anything here.
Educational purposes only
Cosmic Field Notes explains cosmology, quantum physics and particle physics in plain language, for general education. It is not a textbook, a peer reviewed publication, or professional, academic or exam advice. Explanations are deliberately simplified, and some details are left out so that the main idea is clear.
Please check the facts yourself
Science changes as new results come in, and mistakes can happen. Every result on the site links to its source and shows a "how sure" label and a date. Before you rely on anything here (for homework, an essay, a talk or a decision), follow the link and read the original.
Where the material comes from
We build the explanations from, and link to whenever possible:
- peer reviewed research papers, including journals such as Nature, Nature Astronomy, Nature Physics, Physical Review Letters and The Astrophysical Journal;
- preprints on arXiv, which are clearly marked as not yet peer reviewed;
- official science organisations and missions: NASA, ESA, CERN, the Planck and Webb missions, and the DESI collaboration;
- university press offices and reputable science news, such as ScienceDaily and Physics World.
Where a claim is disputed or unconfirmed, we say so. If you spot a mistake, please tell us and we'll correct it.
The Formula Decoder
The Decoder breaks formulas into simple building blocks. The worked examples are written and checked by us. The optional live version runs on Claude, an AI, and AI explanations can be wrong, so treat them as a starting point and check important results against a reliable source. Don't use the Decoder for anything safety critical.
Book links and commission
Some book links on this site may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy a book through one of these links, this site may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links are labelled "affiliate link". Commission never affects which books we recommend, and the book summaries are our own.
Films, pictures and characters
The films, animations, drawings and the character Photony were made for this site. You're welcome to watch them and share links to them. Please don't reupload them or use them commercially without asking. Links to third party videos and accounts are there for your interest; we don't control their content.
No warranty
The site is provided free and as it is. We try hard to be accurate, but we can't promise everything is complete, correct or up to date, and we aren't responsible for decisions made using it. Nothing in these terms affects your rights under UK consumer law.
Contact
Questions or corrections: support@fortunastreams.com.