The Dark Matter Problem
A Historical Perspective

This book describes the development of dark matter theory for cosmologists, astronomers and particle physicists.

Robert H. Sanders (Author)

9780521113014, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 April 2010

214 pages
25.3 x 17.8 x 1.9 cm, 0.58 kg

'In this readable and enjoyable book, Sanders takes us through the historical development of the theory of dark matter … The Dark Matter Problem will benefit advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and some researchers. … Students and professionals working in the field may receive this book as a training tool that highlights the current deficiencies of the dark matter paradigm.' Physics Today

Most astronomers and physicists now believe that the matter content of the Universe is dominated by dark matter: hypothetical particles which interact with normal matter primarily through the force of gravity. Though invisible to current direct detection methods, dark matter can explain a variety of astronomical observations. This book describes how this theory has developed over the past 75 years, and why it is now a central feature of extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. Current attempts to directly detect dark matter locally are discussed, together with the implications for particle physics. The author comments on the sociology of these developments, demonstrating how and why scientists work and interact. Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), the leading alternative to this theory, is also presented. This fascinating overview will interest cosmologists, astronomers and particle physicists. Mathematics is kept to a minimum, so the book can be understood by non-specialists.

1. Introduction
2. Early history of the dark matter hypothesis
3. The stability of disk galaxies: the dark halo solutions
4. Direct evidence: extended rotation curves of spiral galaxies
5. The maximum disk: light traces mass
6. Cosmology and the birth of astroparticle physics
7. Clusters revisited: missing mass found
8. CDM confronts galaxy rotation curves
9. The new cosmology: dark matter is not enough
10. An alternative to dark matter: Modified Newtonian Dynamics
11. Seeing dark matter: the theory and practice of detection
12. Reflections: a personal point of view
Appendix
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Relativity physics [PHR], Cosmology & the universe [PGK]