Cosmology and the universe Books

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling author of The Elegant Universe and The Fabric of the Cosmos tackles perhaps the most mind-bending question in modern physics and cosmology: Is our universe the only universe?There was a time when universe meant all there is. Everything. Yet, a number of theories are converging on the possibility that our universe may be but one among many parallel universes populating a vast multiverse. Here, Briane Greene, one of our foremost physicists and science writers, takes us on a breathtaking journey to a multiverse comprising an endless series of big bangs, a multiverse with duplicates of every one of us, a multiverse populated by vast sheets of spacetime, a multiverse in which all we consider real are holographic illusions, and even a multiverse made purely of math--and reveals the reality hidden within each.Using his trademark wit and precision, Greene presents a thrilling survey of cutting-edge physics and confronts the inevitable question:

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Book SynopsisAn award-winning science writer attempts to provide an entirely serious answer to a seemingly ludicrous question: could aliens have invented the universe? And could we create our own?Trade Review"Merali, an accomplished science writer, weaves a picture of modern cosmology from its results, its history and the motivations of individuals. Thoughts from Alan Guth, Andrei Linde and Alex Vilenkin about the development of cosmic inflation, and from Joe Polchinski about the evolution of string theory (to mention a few), wonderfully convey the sometimes thrilling and often circuitous nature of scientific progress, and its emotional ups and downs..[T]heir wisdom and quirks shine in Merali's excellent prose."-Nature "[Merali] gives readers not only up-close looks at revolutionary science in the making but also memorable glimpses of the colorful revolutionaries... Science has never offered broader intellectual horizons!"-Booklist, starred review "In her elegant and perceptive book, Merali unpacks the science behind what we know about our universe's beginnings and traces the paths that many renowned researchers have taken to translate these insights to new heights: the creation of a brand-new "baby" universe, and not an empty one, either, but one with its own physics, matter, and (possibly) life...[Merali] effortlessly explains the complex theories that form the bedrock of this concept, and she brings to life the investigators who have dedicated much of their careers in pursuit of fundamental truths... A rich and wonderful cosmological history that illuminates the scientific possibility of the nearly unthinkable."-Kirkus "A Big Bang in a Little Room takes readers on a journey through the history of cosmology and unravels the ideas behind the provocative claim, made by some of the most respective physicists alive, that we can nurse other worlds in the tiny confines of the lab."-Publishers Weekly, Fall Announcements "A charming reading tour of some of the most creative and unconventional ideas in modern science." -Anton Zeilinger, Scientific Director, Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information and author of Dance of the Photons "If you're an atheist, it will both inflate your universe and give you the jitters, and if you are religiously inclined, it will blow your mind. This is a beautifully written and rewarding book that opens a door into a multiverse of extraordinary wonders." -Rowan Hooper, New Scientist "So you want to make your own universe. Zeeya Merali's new book won't quite give you an instruction kit-but it's the closest thing we have at the moment. A fun and mind-expanding ride through modern ideas of how universes come to be." -Sean Carroll, author of The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself "To appreciate the diverse personalities who seek amazing links between cosmos and microworld on the speculative frontiers of physics, you should read this book." -Martin Rees, Emeritus Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics, University of Cambridge, and author of Universe and Just Six Numbers "Is it possible to create a universe in a lab? Is it moral? In this fascinating and provocative book, Merali walks a delicate line between physics and theology with charm, integrity, and wit. She deftly navigates heady scientific ideas and profound ethical questions, and her lively interactions with physicists bring their abstract theories to life. Whether you find it ultimately convincing or quixotic, Merali's journey will leave you marveling at the implications of DIY universe building and questioning the origins of our own strange universe." -Amanda Gefter, author of Trespassing on Einstein's Lawn

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Book SynopsisA reference source for professional and student astrologers alike. The book has been published annually since 1821. It gives the longitudes of all the planets for each day and their latitudes and declinations for every other day, and includes tables of houses for London, Liverpool and New York.

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Book SynopsisThe Short Story of the Universe is a new introduction to the subject of the universe. Covering 130 key components that make it up - from dwarf galaxies and spiral arms to red giants and the planets of the solar sytem - and linking these to the universe''s structure and the theories that help us understand it, this book simplifies this riveting yet mind-boggling subject, telling the story of how it came into being and how it will eventually be no more. Accessible and concise, generously illustrated throughout, and with all the essential information presented without jargon, readers are given all the tools they need to enjoy the fascinating history of the deepest depths of the universe.

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Book SynopsisTake your seats for the greatest tour ever - one that encompasses the whole of the Universe. We start right here on Earth, and your tour guides are cosmic voyagers Patrick Moore, Brian May and Chris Lintott: Patrick is a lifelong lunar specialist;

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Book SynopsisWhat is life? Where did it come from? How can understanding the origins of life on Earth help us understand the origins of the universe, and vice versa? This book addresses the beginning of things - of the universe, matter, stars, and planetary systems, and finally, of life itself.Trade Review[Lurquin] treats competing theories with an even hand and skillfully weaves together topics in cosmology, genetics and biology... thought-provoking. Publishers Weekly For readers with an interest in the astronomical and physical sciences and the origination of life. -- B. F. Northeastern NaturalistTable of ContentsFoundations of the Universe Building a Universe Life as It Is Today Prebiotic Earth: First Organic Compounds and First Informational Molecules Life on Its Way Has Life Originated Elsewhere and Will It End?

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Book SynopsisExplaining discoveries and a range of advanced ideas and theories, this book provides a creative and coherent synthesis of scientific thinking on the universe's beginnings. It takes us on a tour of the seven ages of the cosmos, from the formless era of radiation through the origins of human culture.Trade ReviewHis writing is clear and his overview will both educate and entertain the average reader. Publishers Weekly Greatly appealing for exuding the scientific spirit that asks not merely what things exist but why they exist. Booklist In clear prose, Chaisson simplifies complex subjects. -- Gary Budzak Columbus Dispatch A vivid picture... Even the most knowledgeable of readers can learn... This is one epic I can recommend without hesitation. -- Bill Barlow Astronomy Now A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I recommend it highly. Science Books and Film A current and coherent exploration of ideas. Northeastern NaturalistTable of ContentsPreface Prologue: Cosmological Overview 1. Particle Epoch: Simplicity Fleeting 2. Galactic Epoch: Hierarchy of Structures 3. Stellar Epoch: Forges for Elements 4. Planetary Epoch: Habitats for Life 5. Chemical Epoch: Matter Plus Energy 6. Biological Epoch: Complexity Sustained 7. Cultural Epoch: Intelligence to Technology Epilogue: A Whole New Era Further Reading Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisThis is the 2nd edition of a highly successful title on this fascinating and complex subject. Concentrating primarily on the theory behind the origin and the evolution of the universe, and where appropriate relating it to observation, the new features of the this addition include: An overall introduction to the book Two new chapters: Gravitational Lensing and Gravitational Waves Each part has a collection of exercises with solutions to numerical parts at the end of the book Contains a table of physical constants The addition of a consolidated bibilography Table of ContentsPreface. Introduction. PART 1: COSMOLOGICAL MODELS. First Principles. The Friedmann Models. Alternative Cosmologies. Observational Properties of the Universe. PART 2: THE HOT BIG BANG MODEL. Thermal History of the Hot Big Bang Model. The Very Early Universe. Phase Transitions and Inflation. The Lepton Era. The Plasma Era. PART 3: THEORY OF STRUCTURE FORMATION. Introduction to Jeans Theory. Gravitational Instability of Baryonic Matter. Non-Baryonic Matter. Cosmological Perturbations. Non-Linear Evolution. Models of Structure Formation PART 4: OBSERVATIONAL TESTS. Statistics of Galaxy Clustering. The Cosmic Microwave Background. Peculiar Motions of Galaxies. Gravitational Lensing. The High-Redshift Universe. A Forward Look. Appendices References. Index.

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Book SynopsisIf existing models of the structure of the universe are correct, then 85 percent of the cosmos comprises a substance called dark matter. Yet no direct evidence of dark matter exists. Award-winning science journalist Govert Schilling details the quest to detect dark matter and how the search has helped us to understand the universe we inhabit.Trade ReviewAn impressively comprehensive bird’s-eye view of a research topic that is both many decades established and yet still at the very cutting edge of astronomy and physics. Along the course of this whirlwind tour, we catch glimpses of the lives and motivations of many of the key thinkers and builders who have defined the dark matter problem, as well as those who hope, sooner or later, to solve it. -- Katie Mack * Wall Street Journal *The book is both an advertisement for the thrill of scientific discovery and the visionaries who pursue the big questions simply because they are there. Schilling has craftily combined his lucid and accessible descriptions of science with the personal story of those unlocking the finer details of the missing mass mystery. The result is enthralling…A captivating scientific thriller. Future generations will no doubt be grateful for this fascinating contemporary account. * BBC Sky at Night *Schilling takes readers on a journey through the stories of a veritable army of physicists from around the globe as they have sought to understand the dark matter and dark energy that appear to make up 95% of our Universe. -- Catherine Heymans * Science *Fascinating…A thorough and sometimes troubling account of the hunt for dark matter…Schilling is an expert guide not only to dark matter and the equally baffling dark energy, which gets a good outing here, but to particle physics and cosmology…You will come away with a very good understanding of how the universe works. Well, our universe, anyway. -- Michael Brooks * New Scientist *Takes the reader on a vivid and entertaining journey through the history of the search for dark matter…Through interviews with personalities on both sides of historical controversies, the book is a colorful account of science in action, and is thoughtfully balanced to be engaging for a general audience as well as detailed enough to satisfy readers with a more technical background. -- Morgan Hollis * Nature Astronomy *A non-technical, historical, personal, up-to-date, correct, balanced, well-written, and well-researched book. -- Phillip Helbig * The Observatory *Expertly explains what we’ve learned about dark matter, and what we have yet to learn. -- Jeff Foust * Space Review *Curious, indefatigable, and a fine writer, Schilling clearly relays the work of astrophysicists…An entertaining account of a scientific quest that has failed—so far. * Kirkus Reviews *Fascinating history…Schilling convincingly argues that even without proof of its existence, dark matter has increased people’s understanding of the world—the search for it has led to greater knowledge of galaxies, gravity, and the big bang, among other phenomena. It makes for a solid introduction to an elusive topic. * Publishers Weekly *Govert Schilling has written a riveting narrative that brings you up to date on the research into astronomy's most long-standing and frustrating mystery: What is the universe's main ingredient? Thoroughly researched and highly enjoyable. -- Marcia Bartusiak, author of The Day We Found the UniverseFrom a revered science writer, a clear, wide-ranging account of one of the deepest and most fascinating mysteries in astronomy. -- Martin Rees, coauthor of The End of AstronautsA genuine page-turner. Schilling masterfully tells the stories of some of the greatest—and quirkiest—minds ever to probe the cosmos. -- Rick Fienberg, Senior Advisor to the Executive Officer, American Astronomical SocietyWith this book, Schilling offers us a clear and entertaining update on the quest to understand the nature of dark matter. The way he tells this story beautifully captures the sense of mystery that those of us working in this field experience every day. -- Dan Hooper, author of At the Edge of TimeA lively book by a skilled science journalist on an important topic in cosmology: the dark matter. -- Robert Kirshner, Clowes Research Professor of Science, Harvard UniversityGovert Schilling brings his longtime experience of writing about astronomy and its history to this exciting volume. Newcomers to the field will find much to learn in these pages, and experts much to discuss. -- Virginia Trimble, former president, Division of Galaxies and the Universe, International Astronomical Union

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Book SynopsisOffering a fresh take on what brought the world and us into being, Roy Gould helps us see the universe as the master of its own creation, not tethered to a singular event but burgeoning as new space and energy stream into existence. He explores whether life itself rather than a mere cosmic afterthought may be written into the basic laws of nature.Trade ReviewAn engaging book that clearly explains many fundamental concepts in cosmology, astrophysics, biology and chemistry, and is a must-have for all avid popular science fans. * Astronomy Now *There are details throughout Universe in Creation that highlight fascinating and mysterious coherences in the fabric of existence. * PopMatters *Gould…proposes a fascinating thesis about life’s emergence in this eloquent debut… His thought-provoking closing arguments highlight three observations of life: ‘that it is extremely robust across billions of years, that it is extremely diverse across millions of species, and that it is ubiquitous across the planet’s many environments.’ …Readers will appreciate Gould’s erudition and his new way of looking at the universe. * Publishers Weekly *Gould writes the deepest scientific thoughts with the ease of a skilled raconteur…[His] book is filled to overflowing with fascinating, imaginative detail…It is cosmology at its most intricate and explanation at its simplest. A wonderful book. * Queensland Reviewers Collective *The universe could not have dreamt up a better press agent for its story than Roy Gould. From what connects katydids and elephants, through the natural evolution of RNAs, to exoplanets and the Mandelbrot set—the author’s sense of wonder at what is around us is absolutely infectious. Gould’s explanation of how order is naturally created by using disorder at all scales is the best I have seen, making sense of purposefulness without purpose. A joyous romp through a cosmos full of wonders, and changing still! -- Roald Hoffmann, chemist and writerExciting, original, and extremely well written, Universe in Creation offers a philosophically novel perspective on the nature of the universe. -- Avi Loeb, Harvard UniversityWhen we wonder where we came from, or ponder the meaning of our lives, our thoughts might go back to childhood. In his search for meaning, Roy Gould rewinds further to where everything began: the birth of the cosmos. He is the universe’s joyful biographer, recognizing that its story and ours are intertwined, and that one of the most extraordinary things about the universe is that it created beings that can observe and appreciate it. Universe in Creation asks whether or not the universe’s creation of stars, galaxies, living cells, and human beings reveals an unfolding plan. It is a delightful, spirited, and brilliant inquiry. -- Molly Bentley, Executive Producer, Big Picture ScienceA fascinating synthesis…Gould artfully describes various…highlights in universal history, like the formation of stars and planets. Many of these moments are majestic. -- Adam Gaffney * New Republic *In a unique take on the cosmos, Gould makes the case that the emergence of a great many things are not only pre-ordained, but predictable…An interesting read that’s equally, fundamentally sound and correct. -- Ethan Siegel * Forbes *

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