The Cause And Evolution Of The Universe Fact And Myth In Modern Astrophysics

The work of Dr John Auping seeks to assist readers to differentiate observationally verified aspects of cosmology from ideas whose verification is distant, or perhaps impossible. Such a task is performed by using a careful application of the orthodox scientific method. This English edition is a part of Auping’s original work especially devoted to the description of the dynamics of stars, and the analysis of the Big Bang, steady state and multiverse models from a critical point of view. The author approaches different aspects of the evolution of the Universe using different branches of astrophysics, Newtonian mechanics, nuclear physics, thermodynamics, quantum physics and general relativity, with a clear and concise narrative. Mathematical boxes support the deeper study of mathematical-physical relations, which can be omitted by readers who are not specialised.

In this corrected and enlarged edition of Börner's well respected textbook, you will find an up-to-date account of the interplay between particle physics and astrophysics upon which modern cosmology is founded. The author describes some of the theories which have been developed to model the fundamental interaction of elementary particles in the extremely high temperatures of the early universe, taking care to distinguish facts and well- established results from hypotheses and speculations. The three parts of the book discuss the standard hot big bang model of the early universe, the basic ideas of the standard and the grand unified theories of elementary particles, and the influence of dark matter of the large- scale evolution of structure. In addition to making some minor corrections, the author has added an appendix presenting new results and an updated bibliography. Two main groups of readers are addressed: research students in astronomy can use this book to understand the impact of elementary particle theory on cosmology, while research students in particle physics can use it to acquaint themselves with the basic facts of cosmology. The book is written carefully enough to appeal also to a wider audience of physicists.

From the reviews: "It survives the pitfalls of this fashion-conscious era by pursuing a rigorously independent-minded attitude to contemporary ideas. The level is introductory undergraduate, with rather little mathematics but a strong physical basis. ...The second part, on general relativity and cosmology, provides a good account of modern theoretical ideas, from rotating black holes to Grand Unified Theories and inflation. The third part is an excellent and profound discussion of the fundamental problems of cosmology. For anyone with a philosophical turn of mind this section alone makes the book essential reading." Nature

Modern cosmology aims to determine the origin, evolution, and ultimate fate of the Universe. This is an area of modern science that has engendered fierce debates which have captured public interest. This book recounts the development of modern cosmology, in chapters contributed by many of the leading protagonists. It is a fascinating account of physical and observational cosmology, the great cosmological debates, important observations and the riddle of dark matter. The enormous controversy surrounding the Big Bang theory is retold in personal recollections from H. Bondi, W. McCrea, and Fred Hoyle. This is followed by chapters on the discovery of cosmic radio waves and the contributions made by radio astronomers to current cosmology. The book concludes with a tribute to some of the pioneers of cosmology.

Discovery of the expanding universe. Cosmology of the mind. Alpha, beta, and gamow. From quarks to black roles. From chaos to creation. Inflation. Mystery of the cosmic mirror. The cosmic cookbook. Emergence of the fireball. Before the Big Bang. The big breakup. A "lumpy" universe. Cosmic strings. The "heavy element" cookbook. The emergence of life.

"The Grand Sweep of Cosmic History of How we got here" For thousands of years, we − an advanced breed of talking monkeys − survived just like the inhumanly cruel beasts in jungles on a minor planet of a very average star. Immediately something called curiosity ensued which triggered the breath of our perception. We became conscious of our existence, able to find a new way to think of ourselves, started to wonder what makes us exist the way we are. If, like me, you have wondered looking at the star, and tried to make sense of what makes it shine the way it is. Did it shine forever or was there a limit beyond which it cannot or may not shine? And, where did the matter that created it all come from? Which came first, the chicken, or the egg? In other words, which cause makes the matter exist? And, what makes that cause exist. Or maybe, the matter, or the cause that does it exist, existed eternally, and didn't have a beginning. Up until recently, we have tended to shy away from such questions, thinking that finding answers for them is more complex than simply turn our mind blank and say mysterious God is the cause there is something living rather than nothing. Everything that begins to exist must have a creator; If the universe began to exist, then The universe must have a creator. But if the universe prevails in the boundary of understanding in that it neither started nor does it end: it would plainly be. What place, then for a mysterious creator? Cosmology is the branch of science that studies the origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe as a whole. It seeks to understand the physical laws that govern the universe, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, the formation and evolution of galaxies, and the ultimate fate of the universe. The modern understanding of cosmology is based on the theory of general relativity, which was developed by Albert Einstein in 1915. According to this theory, the universe is described as a four-dimensional space-time that is curved by the presence of matter and energy. The curvature of space-time determines the motion of objects in the universe, and it can be calculated using Einstein's equations. One of the key concepts in modern cosmology is the Big Bang theory, which states that the universe began as a hot, dense, and infinitely small point about 13.8 billion years ago. The universe has been expanding and cooling ever since, with the galaxies moving farther and farther apart from each other. Another important concept in cosmology is dark matter, which is a type of matter that does not interact with light or any other form of electromagnetic radiation. Dark matter is believed to make up about 85% of the matter in the universe, and its gravitational effects can be observed through the motions of galaxies and galaxy clusters. Dark energy is another mysterious component of the universe, which is believed to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe in the present era. Dark energy is thought to make up about 70% of the total energy density of the universe, and its nature is not yet well understood. Cosmologists use a variety of observational and theoretical tools to study the universe, including telescopes, satellites, computer simulations, and mathematical models. The field of cosmology is constantly evolving as new observations and discoveries are made, and it is one of the most active and exciting areas of research in modern astrophysics. This book is a comprehensive introduction to the field of cosmology, written for students and general readers interested in learning about the origins, evolution, and structure of the universe. The book covers the historical development of cosmological theories, from the ancient Greeks to the present day, and explores the latest observations and discoveries in astrophysics and cosmology. The book provides a clear and accessible explanation of the principles of general relativity, quantum mechanics, and other scientific theories that underpin our understanding of the universe. It also discusses the role of dark matter and dark energy in the structure and evolution of the universe, and explores the possibility of parallel universes and other speculative theories. This book emphasizes the importance of observational evidence and scientific testing in the development of cosmological theories, and it discusses the challenges and limitations of scientific inquiry in this field. Overall, "From the Beginning of Space and Time: Modern Science and the Mystic Universe" offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the mysteries of the universe, and it provides readers with a solid foundation for further study and exploration in this exciting field of science.

Big Bang: From Myths to Model is a chronological, scientific treatment of the history of astronomy as a science. Beginning with ancient cultures and ending with the modern era, this book explores how humanity has studied the universe, what we claim to know about it, and why we claim to know it. Through ten chapters, the book traces astronomy from its roots in ancient ideas of cosmology and geocentrism, through the Renaissance, the Newtonian Revolution, and the dawn of modern physics. It introduces light and matter, how the stars are measured, the expanding universe, and the Big Bang Model. The final chapter examines modern cosmology and accelerating expansion, and questions the cause of the Big Bang. Big Bang offers an intellectually honest assessment of the fluidity of science, and teaches readers that science is not simply about facts, but also the progression of ideas and the testing of hypotheses. Filled with amazing imagery produced by modern astronomical instruments, Big Bang is designed for introductory college courses that explore the development of insight into the universe, particularly astronomy and physics courses for the nonscience major.

Paul LaViolette reveals astonishing parallels between cutting edge scientific thought and early creation myths, and how these myths encode a theory of cosmology in which matter is continually growing from seeds of order that emerge spontaneously from chaos. Exposing the contradictions of the Big Bang theory, LaViolette leads us beyond the restrictive metaphors of modern science and into a new science for the 21st century.