Interpretation of anisotropy in the cosmic background radiation

Abstract
We review mechanisms for producing temperature and polarization anisotropies in the microwave background radiation, and summarize their relation to the large-scale distribution of matter and to theories of galaxy formation. We also review possible sources of ambiguity in interpreting data, in particular the unknown opacity of the pregalactic gas and the possible contribution of discrete sources of radiation. Strategies for removing these ambiguities are discussed.