Cosmology's century : an inside history of our modern understanding of the universe / P.J.E. Peebles.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Peebles, P. J. E. (Phillip James Edwin), author.

Series:

Princeton scholarship online.

Princeton scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cosmology.

Universe.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvii, 403 pages) : illustrations, charts

Place of Publication:

Princeton : Princeton University Press, [2020]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

From Nobel Prize-winning physicist P.J.E. Peebles, the story of cosmology from Einstein to today Modern cosmology began a century ago with Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity and his notion of a homogenous, philosophically satisfying cosmos. Cosmology's Century is the story of how generations of scientists built on these thoughts and many new measurements to arrive at a well-tested physical theory of the structure and evolution of our expanding universe. In this landmark book, one of the world's most esteemed theoretical cosmologists offers an unparalleled personal perspective on how the field developed. P.J.E. Peebles was at the forefront of many of the greatest discoveries of the past century, making fundamental contributions to our understanding of the presence of helium and microwave radiation from the hot big bang, the measures of the distribution and motion of ordinary matter, and the new kind of dark matter that allows us to make sense of these results. Taking readers from the field's beginnings, Peebles describes how scientists working in independent directions found themselves converging on a theory of cosmic evolution interesting enough to warrant the rigorous testing it passes so well. He explores the major advances--some inspired by remarkable insights or perhaps just lucky guesses--as well as the wrong turns taken and the roads not explored. He shares recollections from major players in this story and provides a rare, inside look at how natural science is really done. A monumental work, Cosmology's Century also emphasizes where the present theory is incomplete, suggesting exciting directions for continuing research.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

Preface and Acknowledgments

CHAPTER 1. Introduction

CHAPTER 2. The Homogeneous Universe

CHAPTER 3. Cosmological Models

CHAPTER 4. Fossils:Microwave Radiation and Light Elements

CHAPTER 5. How Cosmic Structure Grew

CHAPTER 6. Subluminal Mass

CHAPTER 7. Nonbaryonic Dark Matter

CHAPTER 8. The Age of Abundance of Cosmological Models

CHAPTER 9. The 1998–2003 Revolution

CHAPTER 10. The Ways of Research

References

Index

A NOTE ON THE TYPE

Notes:

Previously issued in print: 2020.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from home page (viewed on December 17, 2020).

ISBN:

9780691201665

0691201668

OCLC:

1238027521