Cosmology and the universe Books

Book SynopsisThere is evidence to suggest that our world and everything in it from snowflakes to maple trees to falling stars and spinning electrons are only ghostly images, projections from a level of reality literally beyond both space and time.'This is the astonishing idea behind the holographic theory of the universe, pioneered by two eminent thinkers: physicist David Bohm, a former protégé of Albert Einstein, and quantum physicist Karl Pribram. The holographic theory of the universe encompasses consciousness and reality as we know them, but can also explain such hitherto unexplained phenomena as telepathy, out-of-body experiences and even miraculous healing.In this remarkable book, Michael Talbot reveals the extraordinary depth and power of the holographic theory of the universe, illustrating how it makes sense of the entire range of experiences within our universe and in other universes beyond our own.Trade Review‘One of the cleverest writers around today…his eclectic mind ranges far into the deepest and often most controversial mysteries of modern science.’ Fred Alan Wolf PhD, author of ‘Taking the Quantum Leap’Table of ContentsPart 1 A remarkable new view of reality: the brain as hologram; the cosmos. Part 2 Mind and body: the holographic model and psychology; I sing the body holographic; a pocketful of miracles; seeing holographically. Part 3 Space and time: time out of mind; travelling in the superhologram; return to the dreamtime.

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Book SynopsisThe book explores the origin and fate of the universe through seven lectures by a brilliant physicist, discussing theories of existence, black holes, Big Bang, and a multi-dimensional origin with no-boundary condition. Various historical ideologies and scientific theories are introduced in a simple and witty manner.

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Book SynopsisOne of the major philosophical texts of the 20th century, Process and Reality is based on Alfred North Whitehead’s influential lectures that he delivered at the University of Edinburgh in the 1920s on process philosophy.Whitehead’s master work in philsophy, Process and Reality propounds a system of speculative philosophy, known as process philosophy, in which the various elements of reality into a consistent relation to each other. It is also an exploration of some of the preeminent thinkers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, such as Descartes, Newton, Locke, and Kant. The ultimate edition of Whitehead’s magnum opus, Process and Reality is a standard reference for scholars of all backgrounds.

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Book SynopsisSo staggering you go whoa! every few seconds' GuardianReally impressive' Eamonn Holmes, ITV This MorningA companion book to the critically acclaimed BBC series.The bestselling authors of Wonders of the Universe are back with another blockbuster, a groundbreaking exploration of our Solar System as it has never been seen before.Mercury, a lifeless victim of the Sun's expanding power. Venus, once thought to be lush and fertile, now known to be trapped within a toxic and boiling atmosphere. Mars, the red planet, doomed by the loss of its atmosphere. Jupiter, twice the size of all the other planets combined, but insubstantial. Saturn, a stunning celestial beauty, the jewel of our Solar System. Uranus, the sideways planet and the first ice giant. Neptune, dark, cold and whipped by supersonic winds. Pluto, the dwarf planet, a frozen rock.Andrew Cohen and Professor Brian Cox take readers on a voyage of discovery, from the fiery heart of our Solar System, to its mysterious outer reaches. They touch on the latest discoveries that have expanded our knowledge of the planets, their moons and how they come to be.Trade ReviewPraise for The Planets: ‘So staggering you go whoa!’ every few seconds … Cox is the Attenborough of the Solar System’ Guardian ‘Spectacular. [Cox’s] ability to convey maximum information in a clear and minimalist style is so softly winning and persuasive’ The Sunday Times ‘Professor Brian Cox continues to boggle our minds’ Daily Mail ‘It was life affirming, it was perspective shifting. It was beautifully made’ Fearne Cotton, The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, Radio 2 ‘Amazing work’ Emma Barnett, Adrian Chiles, Radio 5 Live ‘Starry-eyed Brian Cox is the only man for this job’ The Times ‘Wow’ Evening Standard ‘The professor makes us marvel at life on Earth’ iNews ‘Excellent … a blend of enjoyable, accessible science and dreamlike wonder’ The Times ‘Brian Cox breathes life into science again … breath-taking’ Guardian ‘Fascinating … Good science’ Observer ‘Extraordinary – at its best magically fascinating and full of vast, weird drama’ Radio Times

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Book SynopsisUpdating one of the most widely used introductory textbooks on Einstein's general relativity, this third edition includes the latest updates on gravitational waves, black holes, and cosmology. It introduces the science of relativity to final-year undergraduates and graduate students, requiring only a minimal background in mathematics.Trade ReviewPraise for the second edition: 'Bernard Schutz's textbook A First Course in General Relativity quickly became a classic, notable for its use of the geometrical approach to the subject, combined with a refreshing succinctness. Since its first publication in 1985, the field of general relativity has exploded … Schutz has done a masterful job of incorporating these new developments into a revised edition, which is sure to become a new 'classic'.' Clifford M. Will, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, Washington University, St. LouisPraise for the second edition: 'This new edition retains all of the original's clarity and insight into the mathematical foundations of general relativity, but thoroughly updates the accounts of the application of the theory in astrophysics and cosmology. The result is an indispensable volume and this new edition will no doubt become a classic text in its own right.' Mike Hobson, Cavendish Laboratory, University of CambridgePraise for the second edition: 'Schutz has updated his eminently readable and eminently teachable A First Course in General Relativity. This text will be appreciated by any upper-level undergraduate with an interest in cosmology, astrophysics, or experimentation in gravitational physics.' Richard Matzner, The Center for Relativity, University of Texas at AustinPraise for the second edition: ' … marvellous … very clear … I cannot recommend this book highly enough to any physicist who wants a good introduction to general relativity.' David Burton, The ObservatoryPraise for the first edition: 'Schutz has such mastery of the material that it soon becomes clear that one is in authoritative hands, and topics are selected and developed only to a point where they prove adequate for future needs.' The Times Higher Education SupplementPraise for the first edition: '… ought to inspire more physicists and astronomers to teach and learn the other half of the twentieth century's revolution in physics.' Foundations of PhysicsPraise for the first edition: 'The book is a goldmine of cleverly constructed problems and exercises (and solutions!).' NaturePraise for the first edition: '… provides the first step into general relativity for undergraduate students with a minimal background in mathematics.' Zentralblatt MATH'Several generations of students have benefitted from the first two editions of Professor Bernard Schutz' beautiful introductory textbook on tensor algebra, manifolds, physics in curved space times, and Einstein's field equations. Why another edition now? The answer is that, in the last years, precision measurements of stellar orbits around the central massive black hole in the Galactic Center, the detection of gravitational waves from in-spiraling binary black holes and neutron stars with LIGO, and the detection of the central 'radio wave shadow' of the supermassive black hole in the galaxy M87 have suddenly opened the magical world of strongly curved spacetime to precision experimental tests. These experiments and much more to come from ground- and space-based gravitational wave studies have started a renaissance of interest in Einstein's theory.' Reinhard Genzel, Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics'Students and teachers of general relativity will welcome this new edition of Schutz' hugely popular text, significantly broadened to cover the astonishing discoveries of gravitational-wave astronomy and their implications. A pioneer of the geometrical approach to undergraduate-level teaching of GR, the book remains unmatched in its highly readable style. With vim and authority, Schutz leads his readers masterfully from mathematical foundations to the forefront of research in astronomy and cosmology, providing them with the tools to understand future discoveries. With this new edition, Schutz' classic text remains as fresh and relevant as ever.' Leor Barack, University of Southampton'An outstanding textbook on general relativity written with the author's customary clarity and in his engaging style. It includes not only the basics of general relativity, but also recent developments in the direct detection of gravitational waves. A clear exposition of the essential ideas and methods.' Rong-Gen Cai, Chinese Academy of Sciences'Professor Schutz' informal style bewitches the reader into absorbing profound and complex concepts effortlessly. Physics is explained in a lucid style with minimal mathematics, without compromising on rigour. The recent excitement in the field of gravitational waves and its implications for astronomy and cosmology is adeptly conveyed. This edition has been enriched with several more exercises which the student or the young researcher will find illuminating and instructive.' Sanjeev Dhurandhar, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics'When I first taught from this book in the 1980s, my students and I loved it for its unusual combination of clarity and brevity. This third edition is not quite as brief because so much has happened in the subject! But for an all-around text with clear writing and an engaging style, it is still top of the class.' Clifford Will, University of Florida'A First Course in General Relativity by Bernard Schutz is an outstanding introductory text on Einstein's theory of general relativity and offers an invaluable resource for students interested in understanding the formal and physical foundations of modern spacetime theory.' Karim Thebault, University of Bristol'As with its previous editions, this textbook provides a fantastically accessible introduction to the key physical concepts of general relativity and the formalism used by its practitioners. The third edition gives a much-needed update accounting for discoveries since the previous edition, with the chapters on gravitational waves in particular serving as outstanding tutorials for students who are interested in astronomical applications of this subject.' Scott Hughes, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyTable of ContentsPreface to the third edition page; Preface to the second edition; Preface to the first edition; 1. Special relativity; 2. Vector analysis in special relativity; 3. Tensor analysis in special relativity; 4. Perfect fluids in special relativity; 5. Preface to curvature; 6. Curved manifolds; 7. Physics in a curved spacetime; 8. The Einstein field equations; 9. Fundamentals of Gravitational Radiation; 10. Spherical solutions for stars; 11. Schwarzschild geometry and black holes; 12. Gravitational wave astronomy; 13. Cosmology; Appendix A. Summary of linear algebra; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisInternationally renowned theoretical physicist and bestselling author Lawrence Krauss offers provocative, revelatory answers to the biggest philosophical questions: Where did our universe come from? Why does anything exist? And how is it all going to end? ''Why is there something rather than nothing?'' is the question atheists and scientists are always asked,and until now there has not been a satisfying scientific answer. Today, exciting scientific advances provide new insight into this cosmological mystery: not only cansomething arise from nothing, but something willalwaysarise from nothing. A mind-bending trip back to the beginning of the beginning, A Universe from Nothingauthoritatively presents the most recent evidence that explains how our universe evolved - and the implications for how it''s going to end. It will provoke, challenge, and delight readers to look at the most basic underpinnings of existence in a whole new way. In the words of Richard Dawkins: this could potentially

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Book SynopsisA scientific and globetrotting exploration of the physics experiments changing the ways we understand our universe bringing the science of cosmology down to earth.Trade Review'A remarkable narrative that combines fundamental physics with high adventure' New Scientist'A travelogue that celebrates the blood, sweat and tears that drive our understanding of the universe' Guardian'Clean, elegant prose, humming with interest' Robert MacFarlane, author of The Wild Places'An accomplished and timely overview of modern cosmology and particle astrophysics' Nature'An excellent book. The author has a great knack of making difficult subjects comprehensible. I thoroughly enjoyed it' Sir Patrick Moore'Ananthaswamy displays a writer's touch for the fascinating detail... whether he is in an abandoned iron mine in Minnesota's Mesabi Range or the frigid Siberian expanse of Lake Baikal, he finds intrepid physicists and explains to us why these weird places are the only locations on the planet where these experiments could be done' Washington Post'Quite simply, the ultimate physics-adventure travelogue... as an adventure story and a fly-on-the-wall account of remote places that most of us will never visit, The Edge of Physics is brilliant' Physics World'A grand tour of modern day cosmology's sacred places... evocative... engaging... refreshing... a taste of science in the heroic mode' Sky At Night magazine'Smoothly weaves together the stories of people who help push science forward, from principal investigators to research institute gardeners, with exquisitely clear explanations of the questions they hope to solve - and why some research can be done only at the edge of the world' Science News'While Ananthaswamy... focuses heavily on the science, The Edge of Physics reads like a travel-adventure story or a work of fiction' Failure Magazine'From the top of Hawaii's Mauna Kea to Switzerland's Large Hadron Collider and more, Ananthaswamy paints a vivid picture of scientific investigations in harsh working conditions... even for readers who don't know a neutrino from Adam, these interesting tales of human endeavor make The Edge of Physics a trip worth taking' The BookPage'A stirring, scenic narrative... Ananthaswamy journeys to several geographically and scientifically extreme outposts, and returns not only with engaging portraits of the men and women who work there, but also a vibrant glimpse of how cutting-edge research is actually performed. Part history lesson, part travelogue, part adventure story, The Edge of Physics is a wonder-steeped page-turner' Seed Magazine'Physicists are trying to understand the furthest reaches of space and the furthest extremes of matter and energy. To do it, they have to trek to some of the furthest places on Earth from deep underground, to forbidding mountains, to the cold of Antarctica. Anil Anathaswamy takes us on a thrilling ride around the globe and around the cosmos, to reveal the real work that goes into understanding our universe' Sean Carroll, Caltech physicist and author of From Eternity to Here'Ananthaswamy's juxtaposition of extreme travel and extreme science offers a genuinely novel route into the story of modern cosmology... A well written and genuinely accessible tale of what it takes to push past the edge of human knowledge' Thomas Levenson, author of Newton and the Counterfeiter

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARThe No.1 bestselling author of The Future of the Mind brings us a stunning new vision of our future in spaceHuman civilization is on the verge of living beyond Earth. But how will it happen? World-renowned physicist Michio Kaku takes us on a journey to the future, introducing the mind-boggling developments in robotics, nanotechnology and biotechnology that will one day enable us to make our homes among the stars.''With admirable clarity and ease, Kaku explains how we might colonize not only Mars but some of the rocky moons of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn . . . The book has an infectious, can-do enthusiasm'' Steven Poole, The Wall Street Journal''Kaku grounds his readers in science happening right now, while throwing open the windows to imagine where it might lead in a thousand years'' Adam Frank, The New York Times Book Review''Kaku is an international treasure and a man of infectious enthusiasm'' The Times

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Book SynopsisExplores how the Universe, our planet, ourselves, and everything in existence has inherent meaning and evolutionary purpose• 2023 Nautilus Gold Award• Examines our emergence as self-aware members of a Universe that is itself a unified and innately sentient entity that exists TO evolve• Shares leading-edge scientific breakthroughs and shows how they support traditional visions of Earth as a living being--Gaia• Rewrites evolution as not driven by random occurrences and mutations but by intelligently informed and meaningful information flows and processesExploring our emergence as self-aware members of a planetary home and entire Universe that is a unified and innately sentient entity, Jude Currivan, Ph.D., shows that mind and consciousness are not what we possess but what we and the whole world fundamentally are. She reveals our Universe as “a great thought of cosmic mind,” manifesting as a cosmic hologram of meaningful in-formation that, vitally, exists to evolve. Sharing scientific breakthroughs, the author details the 13.8 billion-year story of our Universe and Gaia, where everything in existence has inherent meaning and evolutionary purpose. Showing how the Universe was born, not in an implicitly chaotic big bang, but as the first moment of a fine-tuned and ongoing “big breath,” she shares the latest evidence for the innate sentience that has guided our universal journey from simplicity to ever-greater complexity, diversity, and self-awareness--from protons to planets, plants, and people. She explains how evolution is not driven by random occurrences and mutations but by profoundly resonant and harmonic interplays of forces and influences, each intelligently informed and guided.In Gaia, the Universe’s evolutionary impulse is embodied in collaborative relationships and dynamic co-evolutionary partnerships on a planetary scale and as a wholistic gaiasphere. She reveals how the conscious evolution of humanity is an integral part of Gaia’s own evolutionary progress and purpose. By perceiving and experiencing our planet as a sentient being and ourselves as Gaians, we open ourselves to a deeply ecological, evolutionary, and, above all, hopeful worldview.Trade Review“The Story of Gaia is destined to become a cornerstone for the cosmology of the new millennium. Currivan invites us on an extraordinary journey that gives our mind the reason to accept what our heart already knows--that we’re born into a universe that supports us and our evolution as an integral part of a larger evolutionary process. I love this book!” * GREGG BRADEN, scientist and New York Times bestselling author of The Divine Matrix *“To read this book is to be enhanced, empowered, and evolved into the receiving of a consciousness that evokes the higher human intelligence yearning to unfold in this time of change, trauma, and the coming of a world that works for all.” * JEAN HOUSTON, Ph.D., scholar, a principal founder of the Human Potential Movement, and coauthor of t *“Jude Currivan is that rarest and most original of evolutionary pioneers--one that fuses together profound mystical revelation and passion with grounded, wide-ranging, precise scientific knowledge. In her latest brilliant and galvanizing masterpiece, The Story of Gaia, she guides us into the depths of the divine intelligence that has shaped the life and evolution of our Earth. Read it as I have done with awe and gratitude again and again, and share it with everyone you know.” * share it with everyone you know.” Andrew Harvey, coauthor of Radical Regeneration and author o *“Weaving an impressive array of sciences, from cosmology to the latest biology of trees, Currivan creates a compelling new history of the Earth as a single conscious entity whose components result from a grand, holistic design. Ultimately, this highly original story of our home planet signals a new way of being for its human inhabitants--a welcome and necessary message of hope in these challenging times. * Lynne McTaggart, author of The Field and The Power of Eight *“Jude Currivan’s encyclopedic knowledge of modern quantum-informed science shimmers with her vast, integrated knowledge. Gaia truly comes to life through her masterpiece. Highly recommended!” * Eben Alexander, M.D., neurosurgeon and author of Proof of Heaven *“The Story of Gaia is an amazing book. It tells who we are--for the future of humanity on the planet and for the future of the planet in the Universe. Perhaps the greatest story ever told--now told with the authority of cutting-edge science.” * Ervin Laszlo, Ph.D., whole systems theorist, philosopher, author, and founder of the Club of Budapes *“A fascinating new perspective on our cosmic and human evolution.” * Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade and coauthor of Nurturing Our Humanity *“A breathtaking journey into the ever-increasing intelligence, ingenuity, and creative wisdom of our Universe and the consciousness-actualizing ways in which this becomes manifest and expressed through Gaia and her children and our creative relationships. I highly recommend this masterpiece for discovering the principles, processes, and cosmological architecture that makes life possible and able to thrive.” * Anneloes Smitsman, Ph.D., LLM, futurist, systems scientist, and coauthor of the Future Humans Trilog *“With this book, Currivan takes her place as a leader in a direction that will be necessary if we are to survive the challenges our species faces on our precious planet.” * Larry Dossey, M.D., author of One Mind and Space, Time, and Medicine *“Currivan evokes a deeply empathic sense that all that led to and now exists as life on Earth is intrinsically the result of the universally unifying and cohering presence of love. Ultimately, The Story of Gaia is a vast love story that reminds us that we, too, are an inevitable manifestation of this same eternal presence; it should be a foundational educational text for all students everywhere.” * Marshall Lefferts, author of Cosmometry *“Jude Currivan has written a masterly interdisciplinary odyssey based on a wider range of scientific principles consistent with the emerging consensus on the centrality of mind and consciousness. Within an overarching evolutionary framework, she draws on her extensive and detailed knowledge of cosmology, geology, physics, ecology, biology, and the wisdom traditions to weave a highly accessible narrative about our ‘sentient, dynamic, and co-evolutionary gaiasphere.” * David Lorimer, PGCE, FRSA, program director of Scientific and Medical Network and editor of Paradigm *“Very rarely a book comes along that profoundly transforms the way we look at the world and our place in it. The Story of Gaia does so and takes us on a journey to truly know ourselves as Gaians.” * Diane Marie Williams, founder of the Source of Synergy Foundation *“With its copious and expertly elaborated combinations of scientific, cultural, and consciousness data, the book provides a powerful contribution and, in fact, salvational view of both our current location and our most ambitious and evolutionary potential.” * Kurt Johnson, Ph.D., coauthor of The Coming Interspiritual Age, Fine Lines, and Nabokov’s Blue *“The Story of Gaia provides irrefutable evidence of our deep relationship with each other, the Earth, and the Cosmos. This book is indeed a beautiful expression from Gaia herself--through Jude Currivan, her creation--as she seeks to bring us human children back to our senses.” * Peter Merry, Ph.D., cofounder of Ubiquity University *“The Story of Gaia roots us solidly as Gaian creatures who are coming to understand our spiraling cosmic and earthly journey. With this self-knowledge we cannot help but do better by Gaia and thus for ourselves. The future we dream of is ours to co-create!” * Elisabet Sahtouris, Ph.D., author of EarthDance and Gaia’s Dance and coauthor of A Walk Throug *“The Story of Gaia is an eloquent affirmation of our need to change our modern perception of being human. Our ancestors knew that we were a part of--not apart from--our living planet, as do Indigenous people today. This marvelous book tells that story and inspires us to change.” * John Perkins, author, activist, and cofounder of the Pachamama Alliance *“The Story of Gaia lays out the scientific fundamentals of our wholeness in a deeply grounded and beautifully told exposé of our inherent unity. It moves from our Universe’s point of origin through every cosmological step to the present, revealing a holarchic complexity that is the scaffolding of our wholeness and laying the groundwork for unity-based decision-making and action-taking.” * unity-based decision-making and action-taking.” Joni Carley, D.Min., United Nations ECOSOC con *“Jude Currivan eloquently describes the known science about the history and development of the Universe and our place in it for the layperson. A must-read for the curious explorer wanting to see the big picture view of how humanity arrived where we are today and, vitally, our co-creative potential for conscious evolution.” * Helané Wahbeh, ND, MCR, director of research at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and author of *“Jude Currivan eloquently brings together extensive scientific knowledge, evolutionary biology, cosmic insight, and embodied wisdom with brilliant attunements and insights before each chapter, leading the reader on a unified path toward greater wholeness. This book will wake the innate genius within us as the ‘microcosmic co-creators’ that we are. It’s a labor of love that will change the world.” * Julie Krull, Ph.D., president and founder of Good of the Whole, Inc., author, and host of The Dr. Ju *“The beauty of The Story of Gaia highlights the interdependent nature of all things in a web of wholeness. Jude Currivan writes with a deeply held gratitude, wonderment, reverence--and love--for all that came before, all that is, and all that will be, revealing, as she conveys so brilliantly well, that the Universe, too, has a soul.” * Robert Atkinson, Ph.D., developmental psychologist, author of The Story of Our Time, and coeditor of *“The Story of Gaia lays out the pathway for humanity’s reconnection with our Earth as mother, as Gaia, showing us how aligning with Earth opens up deeper understanding of both unity and diversity.” * Jim Garrison, Ph.D., cofounder and president of Ubiquity University *“A brilliantly epic journey of universal breadth and Earth-based wisdom. A book for the ages. I highly recommend it as a foundational resource to discover our shared destiny.” * Adam C. Hall, author of Divine Genius, The EarthKeeper, and The Little Book of Genius *“The Story of Gaia is our story. Jude Currivan has crafted a captivating narrative that uses cutting-edge modern scientific insights along with ancient wisdom to re-enchant us with the ground of our being: Gaia as a living planet manifesting within consciousness.” * Daniel Christian Wahl, author of Designing Regenerative Cultures *“In The Story of Gaia, Jude Currivan shares with us her aim to serve the voice and wisdom of Gaia. We are invited to recognize with open hearts our citizenship as Gaians.” * Paul J. Mills, director of the Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health *“An eloquent and scientific rendering of how planet Earth, our home and the crucible of our human existence, was created and evolved throughout the history of the Universe. Breathtaking in the scope of research and implications for a new understanding of Gaia as a living being, this book unveils the mystery and majesty of our cosmic home in a way that is worthy of Gaia herself.” * Emanuel Kuntzelman, social entrepreneur, cofounder of Greenheart International, cofounder and presid *“Jude’s voice and Gaia’s story mesmerized me as it weaved in and out of this universal web of emergent meaning and purpose--an alluring, deeply compelling, and inspirational call to re-member our true nature.” * Steve Farrell, worldwide coordinating director and cofounder of Humanity’s Team *“An evolutionary way-shower, Currivan is embodying the true art of the shaman, who is a storyteller and creative artist par excellence. Through Gaia’s story, she is helping us to re-create our world as well as ourselves. For this, we should be forever grateful.” * Paul Levy, author of Wetiko *“Jude Currivan has brought together knowledge across an amazing range of specialized subjects to form a coherent whole. This is a remarkable book!” * Rev. Don MacGregor, PGCE, author of Blue Sky God and The Wisdom Series *“Some books speak to you. This one sings. Currivan reminds us to honor and savor the deep heritage of Earth, appreciate its place in the greater universal scheme, and catch a glimpse of what is still seeking to evolve and unfold through our lives. This compelling and sparkling biography of Earth invites us to become Gaians--to carry the whole of planetary life within us as we in turn are carried and held within the wholeness of Gaia’s embrace.” * Michael Lindfield, president, board of directors at Meditation Mount *“This book is essential for anyone wanting to deeply understand the miracle of life on Earth.” * Rev. Deborah Moldow, founder of the Garden of Light and director of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTIONBig Breath 1 Origin 2 Ancestors 3 Heritage 4 Family 5 Parents 6 Birth 7 Expectancy 8 (R)evolution 9 Emergence 10 Learning to Cooperate 11 Learning to Swim 12 Learning to Walk, Burrow, and Fly 13 Raising Children 14 Teenagers 15 Midlife Eden APPENDIXA New IN-SCIght of IN-formational SCIence NotesRecommended ResourcesAcknowledgments Index

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Book SynopsisIs there a secret visual language all around us? What's so special about the shape of the Great Pyramid? Why is there something so sixy about circles? How many ways can you tile the plane? Lavishly illustrated by the author, this enchanting small introduction to one of the oldest and most widely-used ancient traditions on Earth will forever change the way you look at a triangle, arch, window, fabric repeat, ceramic pattern, graphic design, painting, spiral or flower. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisProfessor Stephen Hawking has been at the heart of this new scientific renaissance.Now, in The Universe in a Nutshell, beautifully illustrated with original artwork commissioned for this project, Stephen Hawking brings us fully up-to-date with the advances in scientific thinking.Trade ReviewA Brief History of Time has now sold an estimated nine million copies worldwide - something of a hard act for its author to follow. In what is being promoted as the 'sequel' to that book, Professor Hawking gives an account of his attempt to combine Einstein's Theory of Relativity with Richard Feynman's idea of multiple histories, in order to reach the grail of a Theory of Everything - or big TOE, as it's charmingly named. This is a book about superstrings and p-branes, holography and supergravity, about how the 'cosmic seed' from which our universe derived was as small as a nut. The publishers are not yet releasing much text, but enough to see that it will be a fascinating (if challenging) read. And one enhanced throughout with 200 striking full colour illustrations and jazzed-up diagrams.

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Book SynopsisIn A Brief History of Black Holes, award-winning University of Oxford researcher Dr Becky Smethurst charts five hundred years of scientific breakthroughs in astronomy and astrophysics.'A jaunt through space history . . . with charming wit and many pop-culture references' – BBC Sky At Night Magazine Right now, you are orbiting a black hole.The Earth orbits the Sun, and the Sun orbits the centre of the Milky Way: a supermassive black hole, the strangest and most misunderstood phenomenon in the galaxy.In this cosmic tale of discovery, Dr Becky Smethurst takes us from the earliest observations of the universe and the collapse of massive stars, to the iconic first photographs of a black hole and her own published findings.She explains why black holes aren’t really ‘black’, that you never ever want to be ‘spaghettified’, how black holes are more like sofa cushions than hoovers and why, beyond the event horizon, the future is a direction in space rather than in time.Told with humour and wisdom, this captivating book describes the secrets behind the most profound questions about our universe – all hidden inside black holes.Trade ReviewA jaunt through space history . . . with charming wit and many pop culture references * BBC Sky At Night Magazine *A lot of astrophysics is packed into this neat little book -- Jim Al-Khalili on Space: 10 Things You Should KnowBite-sized, cutting edge science delivered with enormous enthusiasm -- Chris Lintott on Space: 10 Things You Should KnowA fantastic read . . . there's certainly a lot to suck you in (unlike black holes, of course) * Popular Mechanics *

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Book SynopsisIn A Brief History of Black Holes, the award-winning University of Oxford researcher Dr Becky Smethurst charts five hundred years of scientific breakthroughs in astronomy and astrophysics.'A jaunt through space history . . . with charming wit and many pop-culture references' – BBC Sky At Night MagazineRight now, you are orbiting a black hole.The Earth orbits the Sun, and the Sun orbits the centre of the Milky Way: a supermassive black hole, the strangest and most misunderstood phenomenon in the galaxy.In this cosmic tale of discovery, Dr Becky will take you from the earliest observations of the universe and the collapse of massive stars, to the iconic first photographs of a black hole and her own published findings.She explains why black holes aren’t really ‘black’, that you never ever want to be ‘spaghettified’, how black holes are more like sofa cushions than hoovers and why, beyond the event horizon, the future is a direction in space rather than in time.Told with humour and wisdom, this captivating book describes the secrets behind the most profound questions about our universe – all hidden inside black holes.Trade ReviewA jaunt through space history . . . with charming wit and many pop culture references * BBC Sky At Night Magazine *A fantastic read . . . there's certainly a lot to suck you in (unlike black holes, of course) * Popular Mechanics *A lot of astrophysics is packed into this neat little book -- Jim Al-Khalili on Space: 10 Things You Should Know Bite-sized, cutting edge science delivered with enormous enthusiasm -- Chris Lintott on Space: 10 Things You Should Know

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Book SynopsisOne of our great contemporary scientists reveals the ten profound insights that illuminate what everyone should know about the physical worldIn Fundamentals, Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek offers the reader a simple yet profound exploration of reality based on the deep revelations of modern science. With clarity and an infectious sense of joy, he guides us through the essential concepts that form our understanding of what the world is and how it works. Through these pages, we come to see our reality in a new way--bigger, fuller, and stranger than it looked before.Synthesizing basic questions, facts, and dazzling speculations, Wilczek investigates the ideas that form our understanding of the universe: time, space, matter, energy, complexity, and complementarity. He excavates the history of fundamental science, exploring what we know and how we know it, while journeying to the horizons of the scientific world to give us a glimpse of what we may soon discover. Brilliant, lucid, and accessible, this celebration of human ingenuity and imagination will expand your world and your mind.Trade ReviewA gorgeous and inviting overview of the fundamental facts of physical reality. -- Steven Pinker, Johnson Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of Enlightenment NowIf you were to go back just two hundred years and tell people what we knew, from the origins of the universe to the molecular basis of life, and how weird and unintuitive nature is at the atomic scale, they would think we were crazy. But if you showed them what we have created with that knowledge, they would think we were magicians. In this engaging and highly accessible book, Frank Wilczek shows how the vast edifice that is modern science was constructed with only a few ingredients and assumptions, but depended crucially on a way of thinking--about the nature of evidence and how it applied to the world around us. Anyone interested in the underlying basis of the complexity of today's science will enjoy this book. -- Venki Ramakrishnan, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and author of Gene MachineFrank Wilczek is not only one of the world's greatest physicists; he's also one of its greatest explainers. Fundamentals is lucid, beautiful, and revelatory. -- Steven Strogatz, professor of mathematics, Cornell University, and author of Infinite PowersWhether or not you're accustomed to reading physics for pleasure, the Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek's Fundamentals might be the perfect book for the winter of this plague year... Wilczek writes with breathtaking economy and clarity, and his pleasure in his subject is palpable... What a reader gets in Fundamentals is the native language of physics - mathematics - precisely translated by someone who has spent a lifetime (about a billion thoughts!) on these forces that shape our physical world -- Nell Freudenberger * The New York Times *This is an exuberant, gorgeously crafted, and intellectually thrilling book, written by one of our greatest living scientists yet hospitable to all. To be reminded that time and space, mystery and order, are so much stranger and more generous than we can comprehend-this is a gift to public life and moral imagination in a young century where what is visible and tangible feels chaotic and constricting. This book is also unexpectedly spiritually thrilling. Wilczek makes the remarkable move of picking up and evolving the classic scientists' faith that their investigations would reveal the mind of our maker, as well as Einstein's self-described 'cosmic spiritual sensibility.' What began as an exposition, as Wilzcek writes, 'grew into a contemplation.' The result is a profoundly enriched understanding, accessible to the religious and non-religious alike, of what it means to be human-and what we might be pointing at when we use the word God. -- Krista Tippett, host of On Being and author of Becoming Wise[Wilczek] turns out to be a true visionary * The Times *For those with more scientific yearnings, and who regret not taking a few courses in college to learn about the physical world, theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek offers a way to catch up . . . With his clear and joyful voice, Wilczek succeeds very well, and for good reason . . . There is no calculus required; this is not Physics 101. Instead, Wilczek talks about modern physics and cosmology from a more broad-brush and philosophical perspective, often linking their findings to the real world - how they affect us. In this age of rising skepticism, he wants his readers - whom he imagines to be lawyers, doctors, artists, parents or simply curious people - to be 'born again, in the way of science'. * Washington Post *A lucid and riveting narrative of the fundamentals-what Wilczek calls 'the central messages of modern physics,' which are not just facts about how the world works but also 'the style of thought that allowed us to discover them. * Scientific American *Mr. Wilczek's prose pulses with enthusiasm for its subject -- Christopher Levenick * Wall Street Journal *The universe at its grandest and most minuscule is explored in this beguiling meditation on physics. . . a stimulating and very readable scientific tour of the cosmos. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *...breathtaking feat . . . the narrative is a mind-bender of the first order-in the best way possible-but what makes it so engrossing is that the author does far more than just present the facts and speculations, however fascinating; on every page, readers will glean his exhilaration and joy in discovery . . . Another winner from Wilczek, who invites us to be born again into a richer, deeper understanding of the world. * Kirkus,starred review *This is a book about deep ideas, not passing fancies. It will teach you profound principles, not dry lists of facts. It's a rare treat indeed to get a glimpse into the mind of one of the world's leading physicists, presented in an engaging style that will be enjoyed by anyone at all. -- Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply HiddenHow is the universe put together? Beneath the bewildering clamor of the world around us, there lies a hidden realm of subtle mathematical beauty, a bedrock of fundamental principles in which all of nature is grounded. Few living scientists have accomplished more than Frank Wilczek in helping unveil that deeper layer of existence. With poetry and fervor, Wilczek takes us on a breathtaking journey to the frontiers of physics, and reminds us of just how privileged we human beings are to glimpse the foundations of reality. -- Paul Davies, Regents' Professor at Arizona State University and author of The Demon in the MachineA delightful book . . . Frank Wilczek is that rare creature: a first-class scientist who is also an extremely talented communicator. . . Wilczek constantly finds fresh ways to present such ideas, so that you emerge with new insight into what they mean. . . . Fundamentals is, then, not only an exceptional piece of science communication but also a deeply humanistic book * Physics World *Fundamentals is an engaging account of the history of humankind's understanding of reality, told by one of the key contributors to recent parts of that story. Wilczek's grasp on the physics he relates is comprehensive and authoritative; he conveys technicalities with a rare combination of accuracy and accessibility . . . Wilczek provides an exceptionally clear guide to the state of physical knowledge in the early 21st century, much in the spirit of the sort of explanation that the ancient Greeks desired * Science News *It's hard to imagine a better tour of fundamental physics than the one I got from Frank Wilczek here. Loved it -- Sam Harris, Twitter

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Book SynopsisEinstein''s theory of general relativity is a cornerstone of modern physics. It also touches upon a wealth of topics that students find fascinating black holes, warped spacetime, gravitational waves, and cosmology. Now reissued by Cambridge University Press, this ground-breaking text helped to bring general relativity into the undergraduate curriculum, making it accessible to virtually all physics majors. One of the pioneers of the ''physics-first'' approach to the subject, renowned relativist James B. Hartle, recognized that there is typically not enough time in a short introductory course for the traditional, mathematics-first, approach. In this text, he provides a fluent and accessible physics-first introduction to general relativity that begins with the essential physical applications and uses a minimum of new mathematics. This market-leading text is ideal for a one-semester course for undergraduates, with only introductory mechanics as a prerequisite.Trade Review'Jim Hartle's Gravity is a gem that offers a novel approach to general relativity pedagogy. It is written for senior level undergraduate physics students, but I expect it will be useful for a broader audience. The writing throughout is clear, methodical, and elegant, spiced with the author's characteristic dry sense of humor. His book is a fine contribution that extends the range of pedagogical choices available to instructors.' Jennie Traschen, Physics Today'Teaching general relativity at undergraduate level inevitably brings a dilemma: [whether] to be rigorous from the beginning, developing all the tools necessary to do it but risk discouraging the student with difficult new mathematics or to emphasize the physical aspects but risk being so qualitative that the full content of the theory cannot be grasped by the student. Hartle solves this dilemma in a quite consistent way. The flavour of the physics which relies on general relativity theory is preserved and, at the same time, the reader can, at the end, perform calculations by himself. What more could we ask for in an introductory book on this difficult and fascinating subject?' Júlio C. Fabris, Classical and Quantum Gravity'This is an excellent introduction to general relativity with a hands-on approach that is based on physical situations of interest like black holes and the expanding universe. It fills a real gap in the literature for an undergraduate or graduate course.' Stephen Hawking, University of Cambridge'… the best elementary introduction to general relativity ever written. It brings relativity fully within the grasp of undergraduates and should trigger the creation of general relativity courses at colleges and universities around the world.' Kip Thorne, California Institute of Technology'Hartle brings the beauty and excitement of relativistic gravitation to the appropriate undergraduate level via a remarkably accessible development. He uses many more familiar concepts to produce a broad understanding of the basic structure and applications of the theory. The pedagogy is remarkably effective.' Robert V. Wagoner, Stanford University'Hartle is an established master of the field and his competence assures that this book is authoritative. The book provides a striking combination of classical general relativity theory and the latest modern observational results.' Edwin F. Taylor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'… a truly novel approach. With Hartle's presentation, relativity is more than its dry mathematics; instead it is an elegant, curious, and intellectually vibrant subject that is central to many of the most intriguing questions in physics and astrophysics today.' Marc Kamionkowski, California Institute of Technology'This book should appeal to a new generation of physicists… It includes an excellent review of special relativity and provides a unified geometrical approach to both special and general relativity.' Hans Juergen Weber, University of Virginia'A very fine book by a leading expert. By concentrating on physical ideas and the very latest observational results, Hartle achieves his admirable aim of making general relativity accessible without relying on daunting mathematics. This book is likely to become a classic that every physics student should possess.' Jonathan Halliwell, Imperial College London'Professor Hartle is to be commended for writing such a fine and much needed introductory book on general relativity. With the right balance of physical ideas and mathematical details delivered in a clear style, this text will be welcomed.' Bei Lok Hu, University of Maryland'This book should make a major impact in undergraduate education. It is far clearer and more physically motivating than other texts. The exposition is at precisely the right level … clear worked examples and good problems make it especially useful.' Mike Hobson, University of Cambridge'… for decades, general relativity has largely been the purview of graduate students … Hartle's new book promises to change that. It provides an admirable overview of one of physics' most beautiful and increasingly relevant theories and can be understood with only a first mechanics class as a prerequisite. It should persuade many physics departments to offer general relativity as a routine part of the undergraduate curriculum.' Arthur Kosowsky, Rutgers University'… the ideal text for … an introductory course. In no other single text have I found all the up-to-date material that a modern physicist should know about gravity. At the same time, it is an excellent basis for more advanced study.' Dieter Brill, University of Maryland'This is probably my favourite book on GR at this level. It should appeal to those who also like the physics-first approach, and be accessible to those with an undergraduate-level understanding of mechanics.' Phillip Helbig, The ObservatoryTable of ContentsList of Boxes; Preface; Figure credits; Part I. Space and Time in Newtonian Physics and Special Relativity: 1. Gravitational physics; 2. Geometry as physics; 3. Space, time, and gravity in Newtonian physics; 4. Principles of special relativity; 5. Special relativistic mechanics. Part II. The Curved Spacetimes of General Relativity: 6. Gravity as geometry; 7. Description of curved spacetime; 8. Geodesics; 9. The geometry outside a spherical star; 10. Solar System tests of general relativity; 11. Relativistic gravity in action; 12. Gravitational collapse and black holes; 13. Astrophysical black holes; 14. A little rotation; 15. Rotating black holes; 16. Gravitational waves; 17. The universe observed; 18. Cosmological models; 19. Which universe and why?. Part III. The Einstein Equation: 20. A little more math; 21. Curvature and the Einstein equation; 22. The source of curvature; 23. Gravitational wave emission; 24. Relativistic stars; Appendix A. Units; Appendix B. Curvature quantities; Appendix C. Curvature and the Einstein equation; Appendix D. Pedagogical strategy; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Hands-On category""Welcome to the Universe in 3D, the ideal gift for star gazers of all ages, brings readers a built-in stereo viewer...that enables a 3D tour of the universe. Armchair astronomers can peer through the stereo viewer, page through nearly 60 double images of the solar system and take in three-dimensional images from as far away as 13.8 billion light years .... Cheaper than a telescope, this is a marvelous introduction to astronomy" * Shelf Awareness *

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Book SynopsisWhat is time? The Janus Point offers a ground-breaking solution to one of the greatest mysteries in physics.For over a century, the greatest minds have sought to understand why time seems to flow in one direction, ever forward. In The Janus Point, Julian Barbour offers a radically new answer: it doesn't.At the heart of this book, Barbour provides a new vision of the Big Bang - the Janus Point - from which time flows in two directions, its currents driven by the expansion of the universe and the growth of order in the galaxies, planets and life itself. What emerges is not just a revolutionary new theory of time, but a hopeful argument about the destiny of our universe.'Both a work of literature and a masterpiece of scientific thought' Lee Smolin, author of The Trouble with Physics'Profound...original...accessible to anyone who has pondered the mysteries of space and time' Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal 'Takes on fundamental questions, offering a new perspective on how the Universe started and where it may be headed' Science MagazineTrade ReviewJulian Barbour is a profound and original thinker with the boldness to tackle some of nature's deepest problems. He is also a fine writer, and this renders his book - despite its conceptual depth - accessible to anyone who has pondered the mysteries of space and time -- Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal SocietyWith a rare humanity and a perspective based on a lifetime of study, Barbour writes a book that is both a work of literature and a masterpiece of scientific thought -- Lee Smolin, author of The Trouble with PhysicsThe origin of the arrow of time is arguably the most important conceptual problem in cosmology, and the prospect that it can be solved in a universe where time flows "backward" in the far past is as exciting as it is provocative. In this engaging book, Julian Barbour conveys this excitement admirably -- Sean Carroll, author of From Eternity to HereThe Janus Point shows history-in-the-making: a project to recast the foundations of all of cosmology, gravity, thermodynamics and the arrow of time. The book has given me a lot to ponder. As Gauss said of Riemann's habilitation lecture, '[it] exceeded my expectations' -- Bill Unruh, Professor of Physics at University of British ColumbiaJulian Barbour has no peer when it comes to explaining scientific ideas in a way that is accessible without being simplistic -- Neal Stephenson, author of Snow CrashJulian Barbour has discovered an unexpected and remarkably simple feature of Newtonian dynamics that is the basis of his seductive and eloquently presented explanation of the history of the universe, even time itself -- Michael Victor Berry, Professor of Physics (Emeritus) at Bristol UniversityThis delightful, provocative book is a cosmic physics adventure, enlivened with history and poetry -- Theodore A. Jacobson, Professor of Physics at University of MarylandJulian Barbour has a complete mastery of the history of ideas yet a remarkable lightness and clarity in explaining what are profound concepts. The Janus Point is controversial and gripping, an extraordinary introduction to his view of the universe -- Pedro G. Ferreira, author of The Perfect TheoryBarbour takes on fundamental questions, offering a new perspective - illustrated with lucid examples and poetically constructed prose - on how the Universe started (or more precisely, how it did not start) and where it may be headed. This book is an engaging read, which both taught me something new about meat-and-potatoes physics and reminded me why asking fundamental questions can be so fun -- Matthew Johnson * Science *A closely argued, substantive take on one of the biggest unsolved mysteries of physics, written by someone who has wrestled with not only the physics, but also the history and philosophy relevant to his subject. What's more, Barbour's approach, unlike many in the popular science game, is to publish only when he thinks he has something worth saying. That alone is enough to make him worth listening to -- Michael Brooks * Nautilus *Julian Barbour is one that rare breed, an optimistic scientist, and his engrossing The Janus Point not only turns accepted thinking about the universe on its head...but also suggests our very understanding of the nature of time needs to be reappraised * Choice *Any reader willing to engage with Barbour's ideas will come away enlightened -- Sidney Perkowitz * Physics World *

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Book SynopsisThe ideal gift for aspiring astronomers.The sights in our Solar System are dynamic reminders of our planet''s position as part of a larger neighbourhood. Study the ever-changing face of the Moon, watch the steady march of the planets against the stars, witness the thrill of a meteor shower, or the memory of a once-in-a-generation comet.In a few short generations, scientists have taken us from wondering about the nature of the Solar System to exploring every corner of it with advanced robotic probes, and inexpensive but powerful telescopes have become ubiquitous, allowing all of us to follow in the footsteps of Galileo as explorers.In this guide, you will learn how the Solar System came to be understood from ancient theories of its mechanics to the modern age of remote sensing, We''ll then look at the significant targets for amateur astronomers the Moon, Sun and planets to see how they can be explored by eye and with telescopes. We''ll discuss some of the more obscure but fascinatingTrade Review“… such an informative and concise read that any beginner would be wise to grab a copy.” BBC Sky at Night Magazine “High praise must be given for the photographs and diagrams that appear on each page: beautifully clear, accompanied with simple but to-the-point text… How he has packed so much in I do not know, but whatever his secret, it works.” BBC Sky at Night Magazine

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Book Synopsis‘If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe’ - Carl SaganInspired by Sagan’s famous line, How To Make An Apple Pie From Scratch sets out on a journey to unearth everything we know about our universe: how it started, how we found out, and what we still have left to discover . . .‘Witty, approachable and captivating’ - Robin Ince‘A fascinating exploration of how we learned what matter really is’ - Sean CarrollWill we ever be able to understand the very first moments of the world we inhabit? What is matter really made of? How did anything survive the fearsome heat of the Big Bang?In pursuit of answers, we meet the scientists, astronomers and philosophers who brought us to our present understanding of the world – offering readers a front-row seat to the most dramatic journey human beings have ever embarked on.TED Talk speaker and academic Harry Cliff's How To Make An Apple Pie From Scratch is an essential, fresh and funny guide to how we got to where we are now – and what we have to come.‘A delightfully fresh and accessible approach to one of the great quests of science’ - Graham Farmelo‘Lays out not just what we know, but how we found out (and what is left to be discovered’ - Katie MackTrade ReviewCliff's engaging and personable writing style, along with his infectious enthusiasm, follows in the best traditions of Feynman and Sagan . . . a page-turner. -- Jim Al-KhaliliWitty, approachable and captivating . . . Every time you eat a pie, you'll find yourself contemplating the universe and why exactly there is one in the first place - a wild ride through the remarkable adventures and thoughts that have led to a species beginning to work out why it is and why everything else is too. -- Robin InceA fascinating exploration of how we learned what matter really is, and the journey matter takes from the Big Bang, through exploding stars, ultimately to you and me. -- Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of SpacetimeA delightfully fresh and accessible approach to one of the great quests of science . . . Harry Cliff has found a recipe for an easily digestible approach to this subject, and the results go down a treat. -- Graham Farmelo, author of The Strangest ManScience is all about successful recipes and here’s a mouthwateringly good one for life, the universe and everything. The cosmic detail in chef Cliff’s climactic de novo apple pie makes the efforts of celebrity cooks seem thin and insubstantial. -- Roger Highfield, Science Director at the Science MuseumCovers a vast amount of ground whilst remaining easy to read: from the birth of modern chemistry through to the very latest ideas in particle physics. All done with a light-hearted rigour . . . Brilliant. -- Jeff Forshaw, Professor of Particle Physics, University of ManchesterHow to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch lays out not just what we know, but how we found out (and what is left to be discovered), and gives us intriguing glimpses into the lives of the thinkers and tinkerers who put all the pieces together for us. -- Katie Mack, author of The End of Everything[An] outstanding book, sometimes as funny as The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy * Kirkus *Cliff is an expert writer who artfully takes on a complex subject in a comprehensible, entertaining, and humorous manner . . . Highly recommended. * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisCovering subjects ranging from the personal to the scientific, this is a collection of Stephen Hawking's essays and other pieces. They reveal him as scientist, man, concerned world citizen and imaginative thinker. A transcript of his conversation on "Desert Island Discs" is included.Trade ReviewIs the universe going to expand into eternity or will everything collapse in one Big Crunch in which physical laws become meaningless? Stephen Hawking, author of the phenomenal bestseller A Brief History of Time, sheds light on the darkest regions of space and time and considers an extraordinary array of possibilities for our future? * The Times *Stephen Hawking has done it again. In A Brief History of Time he succeeded in interesting the widest possible audiences in the most abstract of theoretical astrophysics. Now he has once more broken out of the scientific ghetto to claim the intellectual and cultural high ground for science... Black Holes and Baby Universes takes us still further, almost over the limit...Turn to Stephen Hawking if you would look outward, to the ends of the universe * Independent on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis''Athena seized the writhing serpent and hurled it into the sky, and fixed it to the very pole of the heavens.'' The constellations we recognize today were first mapped by the ancient Greeks, who arranged the stars into patterns for that purpose. In the third century BC Eratosthenes compiled a handbook of astral mythology in which the constellations were associated with figures from legend, and myths were provided to explain how each person, creature, or object came to be placed in the sky. Thus we can see Heracles killing the Dragon, and Perseus slaying the sea-monster to save Andromeda; Orion chases the seven maidens transformed by Zeus into the Pleiades, and Aries, the golden ram, is identified flying up to the heavens. This translation brings together the later summaries from Eratosthenes'' lost handbook with a guide to astronomy compiled by Hyginus, librarian to Augustus. Together with Aratus''s astronomical poem the Phaenomena, these texts provide a complete collection of Greek aTrade ReviewHighly recommended. * Anna Maria Polidori, Al Femminile *A useful, inexpensive, and comprehensive vade-mecum of the mythology that surrounds the constellations * Colin Leach, Classics for All *

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Book SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER • From one of the world’s leading physicists and author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Elegant Universe, comes “an astonishing ride” through the universe (The New York Times) that makes us look at reality in a completely different way. Space and time form the very fabric of the cosmos. Yet they remain among the most mysterious of concepts. Is space an entity? Why does time have a direction? Could the universe exist without space and time? Can we travel to the past? Greene has set himself a daunting task: to explain non-intuitive, mathematical concepts like String Theory, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and Inflationary Cosmology with analogies drawn from common experience. From Newton’s unchanging realm in which space and time are absolute, to Einstein’s fluid conception of spacetime, to quantum mechanics’ entangled arena where vastly distant objects can instantaneously coordina

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when a star dies? How many asteroids are in our solar system? Can galaxies collide? What is dark energy? Astronomy in Minutes answers all these questions and more as it condenses 200 key concepts into easily digestible essays. From Trojan asteroids to stellar black holes, and from superclusters to cosmic microwave background, this book will take you on an essential tour around the universe. Beginning with the specks and constellations that we see in the night sky, and then zooming in on the objects and 'matter' beyond the naked eye, Astronomy in Minutes draws on established theories and recent research. Each essay is accompanied by an image or a clear diagram to help unravel complex ideas. Beginning with the constellations and finishing with the latest cosmological theories, this is the perfect reference guide to this fascinating subject. Contents include: The celestial sphere, Piscis Austrinus, the Earth-Moon system, Io and Ganymede, Kuiper Belt Objects, Measuring stellar properties, Nuclear fusion, Red and orange dwarfs, Open star clusters, Planetary nebulae, Supernova remnants, Cosmic expansion, Quasars and blazars, Nature of spacetime, Nucleosynthesis and the Anthropic Principle.

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Book SynopsisOne of TIME’s Ten Best Nonfiction Books of the Decade Meet the new Stephen Hawking . . . The Order of Time is a dazzling book. --The Sunday Times From the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Reality Is Not What It Seems, Helgoland, and Anaximander comes a concise, elegant exploration of time.Why do we remember the past and not the future? What does it mean for time to flow? Do we exist in time or does time exist in us? In lyric, accessible prose, Carlo Rovelli invites us to consider questions about the nature of time that continue to puzzle physicists and philosophers alike. For most readers this is unfamiliar terrain. We all experience time, but the more scientists learn about it, the more mysterious it remains. We think of it as uniform and universal, moving steadily from past to future, measured by clocks. Rovelli tears down these assumptions one by one, revealing a strange universe where at the most fundamental level time disappears. He explains how the theory of quantum gravity attempts to understand and give meaning to the resulting extreme landscape of this timeless world. Weaving together ideas from philosophy, science and literature, he suggests that our perception of the flow of time depends on our perspective, better understood starting from the structure of our brain and emotions than from the physical universe. Already a bestseller in Italy, and written with the poetic vitality that made Seven Brief Lessons on Physics so appealing, The Order of Time offers a profoundly intelligent, culturally rich, novel appreciation of the mysteries of time.

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Book SynopsisWhat if life isn't just a part of the universe . . . what if it determines the very structure of the universe itself? The theory that blew your mind in Biocentrism and Beyond Biocentrism is back, with brand-new research revealing the startling truth about our existence. What is consciousness? Why are we here? Where did it all come from—the laws of nature, the stars, the universe? Humans have been asking these questions forever, but science hasn't succeeded in providing many answers—until now. In The Grand Biocentric Design, Robert Lanza, one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People," is joined by theoretical physicist Matej Pavšic and astronomer Bob Berman to shed light on the big picture that has long eluded philosophers and scientists alike. This engaging, mind-stretching exposition of how the history of physics has led us to Biocentrism—the idea that life creates reality-takes readers on a step-by-step adventure into the great science breakthroughs of the past centuries, from Newton to the weirdness of quantum theory, culminating in recent revelations that will challenge everything you think you know about our role in the universe. ​This book offers the most complete explanation of the science behind Biocentrism to date, delving into the origins of the memorable principles introduced in previous books in this series, as well as introducing new principles that complete the theory. The authors dive deep into topics including consciousness, time, and the evidence that our observations-or even knowledge in our minds-can affect how physical objects behave. The Grand Biocentric Design is a one-of-a-kind, groundbreaking explanation of how the universe works, and an exploration of the science behind the astounding fact that time, space, and reality itself, all ultimately depend upon us.Trade Review"For those addicted to exploring our role as observers in defining our universe, here is your long-awaited major update . . . You'll love The Grand Biocentric Design―it adds new turf to the physics of making universes, and includes ‘solid evidence,' at last, that observers define the structure of physical reality itself." —George Church, Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, professor of health sciences and technology at Harvard and MIT, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering (on Thomson Reuters short-list for the Nobel Prize) "The Grand Biocentric Design brilliantly draws our attention to the most important feature of the entire universe: our human minds . . . This new book brings out the real nature of our universe: for all of us to deeply search for fuller understanding, and for meaning." —Richard Conn Henry, academy professor of physics and astronomy at The Johns Hopkins University, and former deputy director of NASA's Astrophysics Division "For those searching for answers to contemporary physics' disturbing findings, The Grand Biocentric Design is a must-read." —Ronald M. Green, Eunice and Julian Cohen Professor Emeritus for the study of ethics and human values at Dartmouth College, and Professor Emeritus and former chairman of the Department of Religion. "In The Grand Biocentric Design, his third and best book on the topic, Lanza and colleagues unpack, with unprecedented rigor, his theory of biocentrism through the hard lens of physics . . . If you consider biocentrism mere philosophy, look to this volume to make the case that science is at its core." —Pamela Weintraub, senior editor at Aeon, former executive editor of Discover,and editor-in-chief of OMNI "In his two previous books on biocentrism (written with Bob Berman), biologist Robert Lanza proposed a bold new theory of the universe, one that builds on the insights of quantum physics to put consciousness at its center. Here, with theoretical physicist Matej Pavšič, Lanza strives, in language suited to the general reader, to explain the science behind this theory." —Robert Wilson, editor in chief at The American Scholar, the venerable magazine of Phi Beta Kappa, which has published the work of Albert Einstein, John Updike, Saul Bellow, Bertrand Russell, Margaret Mead, and Robert Frost, among others "This must-read book is a masterpiece, discussing newly emergent research that answers questions, through the lens of biocentrism, on how the world works and who we are . . . It will provide thought-provoking and life-changing insights on your existence and everything that surrounds you." —Anthony Atala, W. Boyce Professor and chairman, and director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University, and member of the National Academy of Medicine, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine "Robert Lanza is one of the most creative and brilliant scientists I have ever known . . . The Grand Biocentric Design is his latest creative work based on his life-long scientific journey, which opens up a new biology-based vista to our understanding of existence and consciousness." —Kwang-Soo Kim, professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Harvard Medical School, and director of the Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, McLean Hospital "A unique and paradigm-shattering concept that biological systems are primary and affect our perception of physical systems . . . This insightful work is certain to energize our conversations about the nature of the biological and physical world." —Lucian V. Del Priore, MD, PhD (physics), Robert R. Young Professor at Yale University "A masterly tour de force that will change your life. Robert Lanza and his coauthors take on the Herculean task of reconciling quantum theory, relativity, and consciousness. You will never look at science—indeed, life and death—the same way again." —Ralph Levinson, Professor Emeritus of health sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

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Book SynopsisVenus draws a beautiful pentagram around Earth every eight years. Jupiter's two largest moons draw a perfect four-fold flower. The Planets grandly play out the slow Music of the Spheres. Is there a secret structure hidden in the Solar System? Packed with great illustrations and serious research from many sources, this internationally bestselling little book by cosmologist John Martineau will instantly retune your cosmological circuits to the extraordinary and primary patterns behind Life, the Universe and Everything. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.Trade Review"This book will dazzle you" - Fortean Times "Another beautiful release from Wooden Books. This one may be small in size, but it is immense in scope. Charting the intricate patterns and relationships formed by the dance of our neighbouring planets around the solar system, Martineau discovers some genuinely mind expanding mathematical and geometrical coincidences." (Fortean Times)

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Book SynopsisThe inside story of a quest to unlock one of cosmology’s biggest mysteries, derailed by the lure of the Nobel Prize.Trade Review"[Keating] is a deft writer, interweaving the science with personal musings." -- Nature"By losing the Nobel Prize, Keating has led us to an even greater victory: the recognition that there are more important things in this Universe… than the fleeting glory of an earthly award." -- Forbes"A riveting account of the rise and fall of the seeming confirmation of the cosmological theory of inflation... Keating offers vivid profiles of the personalities involved in shaping our modern view of the universe." -- Science"Losing the Nobel Prize dissects the error-prone humanity of science, but cuts the ugly details with beauty... Charming and clever, Losing the Nobel Prize bounces between clear explanations of nitty-gritty science, accounts of personal relationships and historical lessons." -- ScienceNews"A compelling personal memoir, a fascinating history of cosmology, and an interesting firsthand account of a dramatic scientific adventure." -- Physics Today

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Book SynopsisIan Stewart (Author) Professor Ian Stewart is the author of many popular science books. He is the mathematics consultant for New Scientist and a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick. He was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize for furthering the public understanding of science, and in 2001 became a Fellow of the Royal Society.Terry Pratchett (Author) Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. In all, he was the author of over fifty bestselling books which have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood for services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any. www.terrypratchettbooks.comJack Cohen (Author) Dr Jack Cohen is an internationally-known reproductive biologist, and lives in Newent, Gloucestershire. Jack has a laboratory in his kitchen, helps couples get pregnant by referring them to colleagues, invents biologically realistic aliens for science fiction writers and, in his spare time, throws boomerangs. Jack, who has more letters to his name than can be repeated here, writes, lectures, talks and campaigns to promote public awareness of science, particularly biology. He is mostly retired.Trade ReviewSuperb, neatly fulfilling its goal of introducing science without being boring or didactic. This is a genuinely mind-expanding and very funny book. * Good Book Guide *Entertaining, instructive and illuminating * New Scientist *

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Book SynopsisChris Lintott is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, where his research ranges from understanding how galaxies form and evolve, to predicting the properties of visiting interstellar asteroids. He is Principal Investigator of the Zooniverse citizen science platform, which provides opportunities for anyone to contribute to scientific research, and which was the topic of his first book, 'The Crowd and the Cosmos'. Lintott is best known as presenter of the BBC's long-running Sky at Night program, and as an accomplished lecturer and performer in venues from music festivals to planetaria. In 2023, he was appointed the 39th Gresham Professor of Astronomy, a post that dates back to the 16th century. Away from work, he cooks, plays real tennis and spends time with a rescued lurcher, Mr Max, with whom he presents the Dog Stars podcast.

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Book SynopsisIn the first fractions of a second after the Big Bang lingers a question at the heart of our very existence: why does the universe contain matter but almost no antimatter? The laws of physics tell us that equal amounts of matter and antimatter were produced in the early universe--but then something odd happened. Matter won out over antimatter; hadTrade ReviewHonorable Mention for the 2008 PROSE Award in Chemistry and Physics, Association of American Publishers "The big mystery about antimatter, as far as scientists are concerned, is why there isn't more of it in the universe. This is a serious and well-researched exposition of particle physics and cosmology that shows how science came upon antimatter and is now trying to understand the asymmetry between matter and antimatter. A nice feature is the occasional inclusion of personal recollections of the development of the standard model and of the scientists involved, which adds charm to the narrative. [O]ne of the best overviews...essential reading for students of physics who want to know what research in theoretical particle physics is doing."--Frank Close, Times Higher Education "Quinn and Nir have a daunting task explaining ... one of the most active areas of theoretical physics today. If you like reading cosmologist Steven Hawking's A Brief History of Time, or particle physicist Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe, you will find The Mystery of the Missing Antimatter an absorbing scientific whodunit."--Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History "The standard model of particle physics is Quinn and Nir's arena for discussing one of its inadequacies: it has yet to answer why in the trillionths of a second after the big bang, there was a tiny numerical superiority of matter over antimatter; if there was not, atoms would not have formed. Addressing nonscientists, the authors describe the nature of this intriguing problem...[This book] will challenge yet reward readers with understanding of a fascinating subject at the frontier of science."--Gilbert Taylor, Booklist "[For] anyone wanting to know how physics works and physicists think, the writers have made a difficult topic comprehensible as well as compelling."--Joe Mielke, ForeWord Magazine "[A] remarkable book which provides one of the most satisfying tours of particle physics I have ever read."--Marcus Chown, BBC Focus Magazine "In this page-turner, true science is written in the thrilling tone of science fiction. Quinn and Nir present the history of the antimatter problem and discuss its impact on our understanding of the cosmos--all without introducing a single equation or even a Greek letter. They reveal tantalizing possibilities for solving this puzzle, made possible by high-precision experiments that particle physicists like Quinn and Nir themselves undertake. For anyone wanting to know how physics works and physicists think, the writers make one of the greatest unsolved problems in physics both comprehensive and compelling."--Science News "For those curious about why the universe is the way it is, this book is a reminder of how much we have learned about physics at its smallest and largest scales, but also how much more we have yet to understand."--Jeff Foust, Space Review "With the theme of a murder mystery installed in the reader by a silhouette on the cover, this book takes the reader on a tour de force of the case at hand. This book takes the reader on breathtaking foray into the depths of the particle that make-up our body and our worlds. And like an affable Dr. Watson, the reader can journey with [Helen Quinn and Yossi Nir] as they explore this still unsolved case."--Universe Today "Two distinguished physicists, Quinn and Nir trace in some detail both the history of modern particle physics and its relation to cosmology. Even though the text is free from equations, the authors clearly explain the details of the theories presented and their development. The logic and the meaning of the connections among the ideas make it interesting and challenging...This is a fine book that belongs in college libraries."--K. L. Schick, emeritus, Union College (NY), for CHOICETable of ContentsAcknowledgments xi Chapter 1: Prelude: The Mystery of the Missing Antimatter 1 Chapter 2: Constant Physics in an Evolving Universe 7 Universal Laws 7 Hubble and the Expanding Universe 8 Red-shifts: Evidence for an Expanding Universe 12 Numbers Large and Small 17 What Do We Mean by "Universe"? 19 Chapter 3: As the Universe Expands 21 Running the Clock Forward: Radiation 21 Running the Clock Forward: Dark Matter 26 Running the Clock Forward: Light Nuclei 29 Running the Clock Forward: Matter and Antimatter 32 Chapter 4: What Is Antimatter? 36 What Is Matter? 36 Dirac Introduces Antimatter 42 Experiments Confirm That Antimatter Exists 45 Radioactive Decays of Nuclei 48 Chapter 5: Enter Neutrinos 51 Pauli: The Beta Decay Puzzle 51 Fermi: The Theory of Neutrinos Develops 53 Cowan and Reines: Neutrinos Detected 55 Chapter 6: Mesons 57 Yukawa and the Pi-Meson 57 Strange Mesons, Strange Quantum Concepts 61 Chapter 7: Through the Looking Glass 63 What Physicists Mean by the Term Symmetry 63 A Gedanken Experiment 64 The Actual Experiment 67 Chapter 8: Through the Looking Antiglass 73 Another Gedanken Experiment 73 Cronin and Fitch: Matter and Antimatter Do Not Follow the Same Laws 75 Chapter 9: The Survival of Matter 80 Pauli's Other Letter: Initial Conditions on the Universe 80 Sakharov: The Conditions Needed to Develop an Imbalance 84 Cosmology with Sakharov's Conditions Met: Baryogenesis 88 Chapter 10: Enter Quarks 91 Quarks 91 Why Don't We See the Quarks? 96 What about Dark Matter? 100 The Missing Charm, the Surprising Tau 101 The Standard Model: Particles and Interactions 107 Chapter 11: Energy Rules 111 Stored Energy, Forces, and Energy Conservation 111 Force Fields Permeating Space 114 Field Theory and the Energy Function 116 Chapter 12: Symmetry Rules 121 Symmetries as Answers to the Question "Why?" 121 Symmetries and Conservation Laws 123 Space-Time Symmetries 124 Gauge Symmetries 126 Discrete Symmetries 128 Baryon and Lepton Number Conservation? 130 Chapter 13: Standard Model Gauge Symmetries 132 The Symmetry behind the Electromagnetic Interaction 132 The Symmetry behind the Strong Interaction 134 The Symmetry behind the Weak Interaction 137 Chapter 14: A Missing Piece 140 The Puzzle of Particle Masses 140 How Do We Describe Nothing? 146 At Last, CP Violated in the Standard Model 153 Chapter 15: It Still Doesn't Work! 159 Running the Clock Forward: The Standard Model 159 Now What? 163 Chapter 16: Tools of the Trade 168 Accelerators 168 Detectors 172 Data Handling and Analysis 177 How Projects Develop 178 Chapter 17: Searching for Clues 180 Where Are We Now? 180 Testing the Standard Model in B-Meson Decays 182 Oddone: How to Build B Factories? 184 Running the B Factories: The First Test 190 Chapter 18: Speculations 194 Why Are We Never Satisfied? 194 Grand Unified Theories 195 Supersymmetry 201 Way beyond the Standard Model 204 Chapter 19: Neutrino Surprises 206 Davis, Bahcall, Koshiba: Solar Neutrinos 206 Quantum Neutrino Properties 214 Chapter 20: Following the New Clues 222 Some Things We Know 222 Some Things We Speculate About 225 Fitting It All Together 227 Chapter 21: Finale 231 Appendix: A Timeline of Particle Physics and Cosmology 233 Perspective 233 Relevant Nineteenth-Century Developments 234 1900-1930: Development of Quantum Ideas, Beginnings of Scientific Cosmology 238 1930-1950: New Particles, New Ideas 245 1930-1960s: The Advent of Accelerator Experiments--The Particle Explosion; Implications of Expanding Universe Explored 249 1964-1973: Formulation of the Modern View of Particles and the Universe 256 Two Standard Models Emerge--Particles and Cosmology 263 Index 273

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Book SynopsisAn Introduction to Modern Cosmology Third Edition is an accessible account of modern cosmological ideas. The Big Bang Cosmology is explored, looking at its observational successes in explaining the expansion of the Universe, the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, and the origin of light elements in the universe. Properties of the very early Universe are also covered, including the motivation for a rapid period of expansion known as cosmological inflation. The third edition brings this established undergraduate textbook up-to-date with the rapidly evolving observational situation. This fully revised edition of a bestseller takes an approach which is grounded in physics with a logical flow of chapters leading the reader from basic ideas of the expansion described by the Friedman equations to some of the more advanced ideas about the early universe. It also incorporates up-to-date results from the Planck mission, which imaged the anisotropTable of ContentsPreface xiConstants, conversion factors and symbols xiv1 A (Very) Brief History of Cosmological Ideas 12 Observational Overview 32.1 In visible light 32.2 In other wavebands 62.3 Homogeneity and isotropy 102.4 The expansion of the Universe 102.5 Particles in the Universe 133 Newtonian Gravity 213.1 The Friedmann equation 223.2 On the meaning of the expansion 253.3 Things that go faster than light 253.4 The fluid equation 263.5 The acceleration equation 273.6 On mass, energy and vanishing factors of c2 284 The Geometry of the Universe 294.1 Flat geometry 294.2 Spherical geometry 304.3 Hyperbolic geometry 324.4 Infinite and observable Universes 334.5 Where did the Big Bang happen? 334.6 Three values of k 345 Simple Cosmological Models 375.1 Hubble’s law 375.2 Expansion and redshift 385.3 Solving the equations 395.4 Particle number densities 435.5 Evolution including curvature 446 Observational Parameters 496.1 The expansion rate H0 496.2 The density parameter 0 516.3 The deceleration parameter q0 527 The Cosmological Constant 557.1 Introducing _ 557.2 Fluid description of _ 567.3 Cosmological models with _ 578 The Age of the Universe 619 The Density of the Universe and Dark Matter 679.1 Weighing the Universe 679.2 What might the dark matter be? 739.3 Dark matter searches 7410 The Cosmic Microwave Background 7710.1 Properties of the microwave background 7710.2 The photon to baryon ratio 7910.3 The origin of the microwave background 8010.4 The origin of the microwave background (advanced) 8311 The Early Universe 8712 Nucleosynthesis: The Origin of the Light Elements 9312.1 Hydrogen and Helium 9312.2 Comparing with observations 9612.3 Contrasting decoupling and nucleosynthesis 9813 The Inflationary Universe 10113.1 Problems with the Hot Big Bang 10113.2 Inflationary expansion 10513.3 Solving the Big Bang problems 10613.4 How much inflation? 10813.5 Inflation and particle physics 10914 The Initial Singularity 11315 Overview: The Standard Cosmological Model 117Advanced Topic 1 General Relativistic Cosmology 1211.1 The metric of space-time 1211.2 The Einstein equations 1221.3 Aside: Topology of the Universe 124Advanced Topic 2 Classic Cosmology: Distances and Luminosities 1272.1 Light propagation and redshift 1272.2 The observable Universe 1302.3 Luminosity distance 1302.4 Angular diameter distance 1342.5 Source counts 136Advanced Topic 3 Neutrino Cosmology 1393.1 The massless case 1393.2 Massive neutrinos 1413.3 Neutrinos and structure formation 142Advanced Topic 4 Baryogenesis 145Advanced Topic 5 Structures in the Universe 1495.1 The observed structures 1495.2 Gravitational instability 1515.3 The clustering of galaxies 1525.4 Cosmic microwave background anisotropies 1545.5 The origin of structure 159Advanced Topic 6 Constraining cosmological models 1636.1 Cosmological models and parameters 1636.2 Key cosmological observations 1646.3 Cosmological data analysis 1646.4 The Standard Cosmological Model: 2014 edition 1666.5 The future 168Bibliography 171Numerical answers and hints to problems 173Index 177

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Book SynopsisAn Introduction to Modern Cosmology Third Edition is an accessible account of modern cosmological ideas.Table of ContentsPreface xi Constants, conversion factors and symbols xiv 1 A (Very) Brief History of Cosmological Ideas 1 2 Observational Overview 3 2.1 In visible light 3 2.2 In other wavebands 6 2.3 Homogeneity and isotropy 10 2.4 The expansion of the Universe 10 2.5 Particles in the Universe 13 2.5.1 What particles are there? 13 2.5.2 Thermal distributions and the black-body spectrum 15 3 Newtonian Gravity 21 3.1 The Friedmann equation 22 3.2 On the meaning of the expansion 25 3.3 Things that go faster than light 25 3.4 The fluid equation 26 3.5 The acceleration equation 27 3.6 On mass, energy and vanishing factors of c2 28 4 The Geometry of the Universe 29 4.1 Flat geometry 29 4.2 Spherical geometry 30 4.3 Hyperbolic geometry 32 4.4 Infinite and observable universes 33 4.5 Where did the Big Bang happen? 33 4.6 Three values of k 34 5 Simple Cosmological Models 37 5.1 Hubble’s law 37 5.2 Expansion and redshift 38 5.3 Solving the equations 39 5.3.1 Matter 40 5.3.2 Radiation 41 5.3.3 Mixtures 42 5.4 Particle number densities 43 5.5 Evolution including curvature 44 6 Observational Parameters 49 6.1 The expansion rate H0 49 6.2 The density parameter Ω0 51 6.3 The deceleration parameter q0 52 7 The Cosmological Constant 55 7.1 Introducing Λ 55 7.2 Fluid description of Λ 56 7.3 Cosmological models with Λ 57 8 The Age of the Universe 61 9 The Density of the Universe and Dark Matter 67 9.1 Weighing the Universe 67 9.1.1 Counting stars 67 9.1.2 Nucleosynthesis foreshadowed 68 9.1.3 Galaxy rotation curves 68 9.1.4 Galaxy cluster composition 70 9.1.5 The formation of structure 71 9.1.6 The geometry of the Universe and the brightness of supernovae 72 9.1.7 Overview 72 9.2 What might the dark matter be? 73 9.2.1 Fundamental particles 73 9.2.2 Compact objects 74 9.3 Dark matter searches 74 10 The Cosmic Microwave Background 77 10.1 Properties of the microwave background 77 10.2 The photon to baryon ratio 79 10.3 The origin of the microwave background 80 10.4 The origin of the microwave background (advanced) 83 11 The Early Universe 87 12 Nucleosynthesis: The Origin of the Light Elements 93 12.1 Hydrogen and helium 93 12.2 Comparing with observations 96 12.3 Contrasting decoupling and nucleosynthesis 98 13 The Inflationary Universe 101 13.1 Problems with the Hot Big Bang 101 13.1.1 The flatness problem 101 13.1.2 The horizon problem 103 13.1.3 Relic particle abundances 104 13.2 Inflationary expansion 105 13.3 Solving the Big Bang problems 106 13.3.1 The flatness problem 106 13.3.2 The horizon problem 107 13.3.3 Relic particle abundances 108 13.4 How much inflation? 108 13.5 Inflation and particle physics 109 14 The Initial Singularity 113 15 Overview: The Standard Cosmological Model 117 Advanced Topic 1 General Relativistic Cosmology 121 1.1 The metric of space–time 121 1.2 The Einstein equations 122 1.3 Aside: Topology of the Universe 124 Advanced Topic 2 Classic Cosmology: Distances and Luminosities 127 2.1 Light propagation and redshift 127 2.2 The observable Universe 130 2.3 Luminosity distance 130 2.4 Angular diameter distance 134 2.5 Source counts 136 Advanced Topic 3 Neutrino Cosmology 139 3.1 The massless case 139 3.2 Massive neutrinos 141 3.2.1 Light neutrinos 141 3.2.2 Heavy neutrinos 142 3.3 Neutrinos and structure formation 142 Advanced Topic 4 Baryogenesis 145 Advanced Topic 5 Structures in the Universe 149 5.1 The observed structures 149 5.2 Gravitational instability 151 5.3 The clustering of galaxies 152 5.4 Cosmic microwave background anisotropies 154 5.4.1 Statistical description of anisotropies 154 5.4.2 Computing the C 156 5.4.3 Microwave background observations 156 5.4.4 Spatial geometry 158 5.5 The origin of structure 159 Advanced Topic 6 Constraining cosmological models 163 6.1 Cosmological models and parameters 163 6.2 Key cosmological observations 164 6.3 Cosmological data analysis 164 6.4 The Standard Cosmological Model: 2014 edition 166 6.5 The future 168 Bibliography 171 Numerical Answers and Hints to Problems 173 Index 177

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Book SynopsisLisa Randall is an American theoretical physicist and the Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University. She has received numerous awards and honors and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Physics. She is the author of several acclaimed books on physics.Trade ReviewA bold intellectual synthesis from one of the world’s leading theoretical physicists, blending cosmology, astronomy, particle physics and the history of life on Earth to suggest the existence of an entirely new force of nature. This book certainly ventures into the unknown, but that's where great physicists like to be. -- Professor Brian CoxFascinating… Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs is a sign that readers of popular science have finally grown up… A very grown-up quest… Randall’s writing is as laid back and unfussy as ever. If you appreciated her clear, straightforward style in Warped Passages and Knocking on Heaven’s Door, you won’t be disappointed by Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs. -- Michael Brooks * New Scientist *Weird and wonderful new book. -- Michael Hanlon * The Sunday Times *Splendid book. -- Clive Cookson * Financial Times *Only Lisa Randall can take us on such a thrilling scientific journey—from dinosaurs to DNA to comets to dark matter and to the past and future of our species. Randall’s research is so thorough, the story so powerful, and her storytelling so compelling that I could not put this book down. -- Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of The Emperor of All Maladies

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