Cosmic Perspectives

Modern cosmology and its relationship to the development of human civilization is the subject of this book.

S. K. Biswas (Edited by), D. C. V. Mallik (Edited by), C. V. Vishveshwara (Edited by)

9780521068901, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 July 2008

272 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.4 kg

"...it will be of interest to many lay readers, containing nice articles on the history of astronomy, the frontiers of cosmology, debunking astrology, and astronomy and science fiction." Mercury

Modern cosmology and its relationship to the development of human civilization is the subject of this book. Astronomers, cosmologists and historians have contributed fourteen essays covering a wide range of subjects. These include the place of astronomy in China by Joseph Needham, frontiers in cosmology by Fred Hoyle, the dark matter problem by Bernard Carr and the origin of life by Cyril Ponnamperuma. There are also contributions on astrology, science fiction and science. The collection as a whole is an engaging selection of modern astronomy. All the chapters are written at a level suitable for general readership.

1. Astronomy in ancient and medieval China Joseph Needham
2. Indian astronomy: an historical perspective B. V. Subbarayappa
3. Making of astronomy in ancient India Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya
4. The impact of astronomy on the development of western science Jean-Claude Pecker
5. Man and the Universe Hubert Reeves
6. Understanding the Universe - challenges and directions in modern observational astronomy Harlan Smith, Jr: 7. Frontiers in cosmology Fred Hoyle
8. Did the Universe originate in a big bang? Jayant Narlikar
9. The dark matter problem Bernard Carr
10. Geometry and the Universe C. V. Vishveshwara
11. The origin and evolution of life Cyril Ponnamperuma
12. The anthropic principle: self selection as an adjunct to natural selection Brandon Carter
13. Astrology and science: an examination of the evidence Ivan Kelly, Roger Culver and Peter Loptson
14. Astronomy and science fiction Allen Janis.

Subject Areas: Cosmology & the universe [PGK]