The Universe at Large
Key Issues in Astronomy and Cosmology

Eleven of the world's greatest living astronomers and cosmologists present their personal views of key problems in contemporary astronomy and cosmology.

Guido Münch (Edited by), Antonio Mampaso (Edited by), Francisco Sánchez (Edited by)

9780521589444, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 November 1997

460 pages, 70 b/w illus. 9 tables
24.7 x 17.3 x 2.3 cm, 0.955 kg

'Overall, the book gives a unique review of our current understandings of the Universe which are then developed to provide a host of ideas of lines for profitable future research.' Spaceflight

The Universe at Large presents a unique survey of key questions outstanding in contemporary astronomy and cosmology. In this timely volume, eleven of the world's greatest living astronomers and cosmologists present their personal views of what problems must be addressed by future research. Allan Sandage presents a 23-point plan to reach a full understanding of the largescale structure in the Universe; Geoffrey Burbidge looks at the future of the Quasi Steady State alternative to the Big Bang; active galactic nuclei (AGN) are discussed by E. Margaret Burbidge, Donald Osterbrock and Malcolm Longair; Igor Novikov, Donald Lynden-Bell, Martin Rees and Rashid Sunyaev look at the physics of black holes; and Bernard Pagel and Hubert Reeves concentrate on what we don't yet understand about elements in the cosmos. This book provides a unique review of our current understanding in astronomy and cosmology, and a host of ideas for profitable future research - for graduate students and researchers.

Preface
1. Astronomical problems for the next three decades Allan Sandage
2. New vistas in cosmology and cosmogony Geoffrey Burbidge
3. Omega, dark mass and galactic history Donald Lynden-Bell
4. Observations of QSOs which are critical for cosmology E. Margaret Burbidge
5. Nature, structure, refuelling and evolution of AGNs Donald Osterbrock
6. The high energy radiation of active galactic nuclei Malcolm S. Longair
7. Physics and astrophysics of black holes Igor Novikov
8. Galaxy formation and quasars - progress and prospects Martin J. Rees
9. Cosmic abundances Bernard E. J. Pagel
10. Clues to early development of galaxies Hubert Reeves
11. The observational appearance of accreting black holes in X-ray binaries Rashid Sunyaev
12. Reflections on the key problems Malcolm S. Longair
Index.

Subject Areas: Astronomy, space & time [PG]