The dark matter problem : a historical perspective / Robert H. Sanders.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sanders, Robert H., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Dark matter (Astronomy)--History.

Dark matter (Astronomy).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 205 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Introduction

Early history of the dark matter hypothesis

The stability of disk galaxies : the dark-halo solution

Direct evidence : extended rotation curves of spiral galaxies

The maximum-disk : light traces mass

Cosmology and the birth of astroparticle physics

Clusters revisited : missing mass found

CDM confronts galaxy rotation curves

The new cosmology : dark matter is not enough

An alternative to dark matter : Modified Newtonian Dynamics

Seeing dark matter : the theory and practice of detection

Reflections : a personal point of view.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-107-20283-3

1-139-19230-2

1-282-65344-X

9786612653445

0-511-77539-3

0-511-77615-2

0-511-77357-9

0-511-77250-5

0-511-77463-X

OCLC:

645098276