First Principles of Cosmology


Book Description

An introduction to cosmology, this text has an emphasis on the basic principles of the subject. It seeks to explain the application of mechanics, thermodynamics and particle physics to questions on the universe as a whole. The volume also explores: general equations of state; unifying the treatment of dust; radiation; cosmological constant, or exotic components; and the treatment of inhomogeneities (clumpy universe) and their effects on observations.




Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation


Book Description

General relativity and quantum mechanics have become the two central pillars of theoretical physics. Moreover, general relativity has important applications in astrophysics and high-energy particle physics. Covering the fundamentals of the subject, Principles of Cosmology and Gravitation describes the universe as revealed by observations and presents a theoretical framework to enable important cosmological formulae to be derived and numerical calculations performed. Avoiding elaborate formal discussions, the book presents a practical approach that focuses on the general theory of relativity. It examines different evolutionary models and the gravitational effects of massive bodies. The book also includes a large number of worked examples and problems, half with solutions.




Cosmology: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

This book is a simple, non-technical introduction to cosmology, explaining what it is and what cosmologists do. Peter Coles discusses the history of the subject, the development of the Big Bang theory, and more speculative modern issues like quantum cosmology, superstrings, and dark matter. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.




An Introduction to Modern Cosmology


Book Description

An Introduction to Modern Cosmology Third Edition is an accessible account of modern cosmological ideas. The Big Bang Cosmology is explored, looking at its observational successes in explaining the expansion of the Universe, the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, and the origin of light elements in the universe. Properties of the very early Universe are also covered, including the motivation for a rapid period of expansion known as cosmological inflation. The third edition brings this established undergraduate textbook up-to-date with the rapidly evolving observational situation. This fully revised edition of a bestseller takes an approach which is grounded in physics with a logical flow of chapters leading the reader from basic ideas of the expansion described by the Friedman equations to some of the more advanced ideas about the early universe. It also incorporates up-to-date results from the Planck mission, which imaged the anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation over the whole sky. The Advanced Topic sections present subjects with more detailed mathematical approaches to give greater depth to discussions. Student problems with hints for solving them and numerical answers are embedded in the chapters to facilitate the reader’s understanding and learning. Cosmology is now part of the core in many degree programs. This current, clear and concise introductory text is relevant to a wide range of astronomy programs worldwide and is essential reading for undergraduates and Masters students, as well as anyone starting research in cosmology. The accompanying website for this text, http://booksupport.wiley.com, provides additional material designed to enhance your learning, as well as errata within the text.




Physical Foundations of Cosmology


Book Description

Inflationary cosmology has been developed over the last twenty years to remedy serious shortcomings in the standard hot big bang model of the universe. This textbook, first published in 2005, explains the basis of modern cosmology and shows where the theoretical results come from. The book is divided into two parts; the first deals with the homogeneous and isotropic model of the Universe, the second part discusses how inhomogeneities can explain its structure. Established material such as the inflation and quantum cosmological perturbation are presented in great detail, however the reader is brought to the frontiers of current cosmological research by the discussion of more speculative ideas. An ideal textbook for both advanced students of physics and astrophysics, all of the necessary background material is included in every chapter and no prior knowledge of general relativity and quantum field theory is assumed.




Introduction to Cosmology


Book Description

A substantial update of this award-winning and highly regarded cosmology textbook, for advanced undergraduates in physics and astronomy.




The Origin of Gravity from First Principles


Book Description

"This book presents a collection of chapters in which researchers who have worked in the field of gravity for years reveal their visions of the origin of gravity. Some approaches are based on field equations and ideas of general relativity, but others suggest their own procedures. Among the visions we see the further development of principles of general relativity, which unify gravity with fluctuations of matter or a background of super-strong interacting gravitons, as well as visions that ignore complicated interactions of gravity with other fields altogether. There is also a new approach in which space-particle dualism is presented. In addition, there is the approach that suggests starting directly with the smallest granularity of space, defined by the Planck scale. These lines of study involve constructions and methods emerging from quantum mechanical formalism and even suggestions for new courses of action, such as subquantum kinetics and submicroscopic mechanics. These approaches all try to explain the concepts of particle, mass, and their interactions. These are new trends both in the theory of gravitation and in the theory of elementary particles, and hence fundamental physics in general"--




Cosmology


Book Description

Originally published: Cosmology. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1960.




Cosmological Physics


Book Description

A comprehensive and authoritative introduction to contemporary cosmology for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.




How Did the First Stars and Galaxies Form?


Book Description

A concise introduction to cosmology and how light first emerged in the universe Though astrophysicists have developed a theoretical framework for understanding how the first stars and galaxies formed, only now are we able to begin testing those theories with actual observations of the very distant, early universe. We are entering a new and exciting era of discovery that will advance the frontiers of knowledge, and this book couldn't be more timely. It covers all the basic concepts in cosmology, drawing on insights from an astronomer who has pioneered much of this research over the past two decades. Abraham Loeb starts from first principles, tracing the theoretical foundations of cosmology and carefully explaining the physics behind them. Topics include the gravitational growth of perturbations in an expanding universe, the abundance and properties of dark matter halos and galaxies, reionization, the observational methods used to detect the earliest galaxies and probe the diffuse gas between them—and much more. Cosmology seeks to solve the fundamental mystery of our cosmic origins. This book offers a succinct and accessible primer at a time when breathtaking technological advances promise a wealth of new observational data on the first stars and galaxies. Provides a concise introduction to cosmology Covers all the basic concepts Gives an overview of the gravitational growth of perturbations in an expanding universe Explains the process of reionization Describes the observational methods used to detect the earliest galaxies