Cosmology
The Science of the Universe

Thoroughly revised and updated introduction to past and present cosmological theory.

Edward Harrison (Author)

9781009215701, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 June 2022

577 pages
24.3 x 16.8 x 3.2 cm, 0.99 kg

'This is the second edition of Harrison's first class book on elementary cosmology for all to understand … The book is provocative and readable.' Irish Astronomical Journal

Cosmology: The Science of the Universe is an introduction to past and present cosmological theory. For much of the world's history, cosmological thought was formulated in religious or philosophical language and was thus theological or metaphysical in nature. However, cosmological speculation and theory has now become a science in which the empirical discoveries of the astronomer, theoretical physicist, and biologist are woven into intricate models that attempt to account for the universe as a whole. Professor Harrison draws on the discoveries and speculations of these scientists to provide a comprehensive survey of man's current understanding of the universe and its history. Tracing the rise of the scientific method, the major aim of this book is to provide an elementary understanding of the physical universe of modern times. Thoroughly revised and updated, this second edition extends the much acclaimed first edition taking into account the many developments that have occurred.

Prefaces
Introduction
Part I: 1. What is cosmology?
2. Early scientific cosmology
3. Cartesian and Newtonian world systems
4. Cosmology after Newton and before Einstein
5. Stars
6. Galaxies
7. Location and the cosmic center
8. Containment and the cosmic edge
9. Space and time
Part II: 10. Curved space
11. Special relativity
12. General relativity
13. Black holes
14. Expansion of the universe
15. Cosmic redshifts
16. Newtonian cosmology
17. Cosmic box
18. Many universes
19. Observational cosmology
Part III: 20. The early universe
21. Horizons in the universe
22. Inflation
23. The cosmic numbers
24. Darkness at night
25. Creation of the universe
26. Life in the universe
Index.

Subject Areas: Cosmology & the universe [PGK]