Facts and Speculations in Cosmology

Thought-provoking book for undergraduate students and general readers on the evolution of cosmology.

Jayant Narlikar (Author), Geoffrey Burbidge (Author)

9780521865043, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 July 2008

296 pages, 150 b/w illus.
25.3 x 17.8 x 1.4 cm, 0.73 kg

'There is an excellent discussion of the Day of Brahma and other interesting stories. In short, [the authors] point out the way that current ideas in cosmology are modified is not too far from some of the perturbation seen in mythology. This is a rather thought-provoking book which is aimed at general readers who have an interest in the origin of the Universe.' Federation of Astronomical Societies Newsletter

A thought-provoking insight into the evolution of cosmology for undergraduate students and general readers, this book shows that the mystery of the origin of the universe is far from being solved. Cosmology has advanced over time through observational evidence as well as a lot of speculation. In this historical approach, the authors argue that the speculative element has become a dominant part of modern cosmology. They show how assumptions have been made and portrayed as confirmed facts. This unique book gives not only a critical assessment of the big bang theory, but presents a host of anomalous observations, and puts forward an alternative, controversial theory on the origin of the universe. A non-mathematical account, it contains analogies from everyday life so that readers can understand the concepts easily and follow the arguments presented.

1. Ancient cosmologies
2. The Greek epicycles
3. Reaching out to the milky way
4. Our position in the galaxy
5. The world of galaxies
6. The expanding universe
7. Modelling the universe
8. What is the geometry of the universe like?
9. A universe without a beginning and without an end
10. The cosmological debate 1950-1965
11. The origin of the chemical elements
12. Cosmic microwave background
13. The very early universe
14. Dark matter and dark energy
15. An alternative cosmology
16. Unfaced challenges in cosmology
17. Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Cosmology & the universe [PGK], Astronomy, space & time [PG]