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Astronomy, Cosmology, Space Science

Cosmology

Introduction to Cosmology by Barbara Sue Ryden (Addison-Wesley) is an excellent introduction to all facets of cosmology for anyone from advanced undergraduates on. It includes a slow immersion in the key physical concepts of current cosmology theory, and broadly covers all relevant topics, as listed in the chapter headings. However, the greatest strength of this book is in the decision to forgo detailed General Relativity derivations. Instead of pages of numbing treatment of tensor math and metrics, Ryden summarizes the results of GR that are relevant to current cosmology, presenting the Friedmann equation and the Robertson-Walker metric. While this approach might infuriate purists, it allows the student to understand cosmology from a conceptual standpoint, while providing the mathematical tools necessary for analysis, and is a sufficient general introduction for any physics or astronomy student. It also provides a strong base of knowledge for those who do wish to proceed further into the details of GR. Furthermore, the conversational style of the text makes it much easier to read than any other physics textbook I have encountered. I would recommend any student (or professional) who slogged through their cosmology studies with no sense of the overall state of the field to use this book for both brushing up on the basics and as a quick reference. More

Modern Cosmology by Scott Dodelson (Academic Press) begins with an introduction to the smooth, homogeneous universe described by a Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric, including careful treatments of dark energy, big bang nucleosynthesis, recombination, and dark matter. From this starting point, the reader is introduced to perturbations about an FRW universe: their evolution with the Einstein-Boltzmann equations, their generation by primordial inflation, and their observational consequences. These consequences include the anisotropy spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) featuring acoustic peaks and polarization, the matter power spectrum with baryonic wiggles, and their detection via photometric galaxy surveys, redshift distortions, cluster abundances, and weak lensing. Modern Cosmology concludes with a long chapter on data analysis. Modern Cosmology is the first book to explain in detail the structure of the acoustic peaks in the CMB; the E/B decomposition in polarization which may allow for detection of primordial gravity waves; and the modern analysis techniques used on increasingly large cosmological data sets. Readers will gain the tools needed to work in cosmology and will learn how modern observations are rapidly revolutionizing our picture of the universe.

The Accelerating Universe: Infinite Expansion, the Cosmological Constant, and the Beauty of the Cosmos by Mario Livio (John Wiley) In one of the most startling discoveries in cosmology in the century, astronomers last year determined that the universe is flying apart at an ever faster rate. This "acceleration" has smashed the popular idea of a perfectly balanced "beautiful" universe and kicked off what Scientific American has proclaimed as a new revolution in cosmology. In elegant and wonderfully lucid prose, Hubble Space Telescope scientist Mario Livio introduces the new findings and explores their astonishing implications. More

Cosmology: The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Structure, Second Edition by Peter Coles, Francesco Lucchin (Wiley) Cosmology is concerned with the history and evolution of the universe. The subject content concentrates primarily on theory, but relates theory to observation where appropriate. A modern introduction to this fascinating and fast developing subject. Provides a unique bridge between introductory and advanced material, starting with the elementary foundations of basic cosmological theory. More

God and the Universe by Arthur Gibson (Routledge) combines incisive interpretations of the latest scientific theories of the origins of the universe with an unparalleled understanding of their religious and philosophical implications. In tackling head-on the highly charged issue of God's relevance to contemporary cosmology, the breadth of Gibson's perspective on his subject matter is amazing: from virtual reality to the meaning of life and from Aristotle to Stephen Hawking. Books like this do not come along very often. I suggest one take a couple of mornings off and read through it. God and the Universe will provide some important novel perspectives about how things can mean from the smallest to the largest and how perhaps best to go about learning more. More

Astronomy

Astronomy: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier with Essential Study Partner CD-ROM by John D. Fix (McGraw-Hill) is a text for an introductory astronomy course. One of the main goals is to provide a broad enough and deep enough background in astronomy so the student will be able to follow current developments in astronomy years after they complete the course. Astronomy: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier with Essential Study Partner CD-ROM presumes that most of its readers are not science majors and that they probably have not had a college-level science or mathematics course. Astronomy: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier with Essential Study Partner CD-ROM provides a complete description of current astronomical knowledge, neither at an extreme technical level nor at a level that fails to communicate the quantitative nature of physical science. Finally, the historical development of astronomy is emphasized to show that astronomy, like other sciences, advances through the efforts of many scientists, and to show how present ideas have been developed.

Space Science

Space Sciences 4 volume set edited by Pat Dasch (Macmillan Science Library: Thomson/Gale) Space Sciences Vol 1 Space Business edited by Pat Dasch (Macmillan Science Library: Thomson/Gale) Space Sciences Vol 2 Plantary Science and Astromony edited by Pat Dasch (Macmillan Science Library: Thomson/Gale) Space Sciences Vol 3 Humans in Space edited by Pat Dasch (Macmillan Science Library: Thomson/Gale) Space Sciences Vol 4 Our Future in Space edited by Pat Dasch (Macmillan Science Library: Thomson/Gale)

Intended for high school students and above, this four-volume set contains 341 signed articles presenting introductory information on the space sciences including concepts in astronomy, the history of space discovery, applications of space technology, biographies of contributors to the discipline, and careers. Arranged topically by volume and alphabetically within each volume, entries range from 500 to 4,500 words in length. The pages also contain columns with defined terms, formulas, sidebars, and illustrations. Chapters end with bibliographic data and internet resources, when applicable. Each volume begins with quick reference charts of measurements and symbols; a timeline of business and space milestones and human achievements in space; a list of contributors; and an outline of all contents. Illustrated with 400 color and b&w photographs. More

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