The Oxford Companion to Cosmology

by Liddle, Andrew; Loveday, Jon

• ISBN13: 9780199560844
• ISBN10: 0199560846
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-06-22
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Here is a lavishly illustrated, state-of-the-art look at modern cosmology, the only such resource presently available. In more than 350 in-depth entries, Andrew Liddle and Jon Loveday cover the entire scope of this cutting-edge field, from cosmic rays and dark energy to Higgs bosons and neutrinos. Beginning with an introductory essay on Hot Big Bang Cosmology, the Companion illuminates the ideas behind our current understanding of the universe, outlines some of the fundamental physics from which those ideas emerge, and discusses the many strands of observational evidence available to the modern cosmologist. The authors tackle such fascinating topics as anti-matter, the age of the universe, black holes, quasars, and radio galaxies. The book also features biographical profiles of major scientists and informative entries on the tools of exploration such as the Cosmic Background Explorer satellite, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Keck Observatory. Extensive cross-referencing allows readers to pursue ideas throughout the book, and web links direct the reader to recommended online resources which will be regulary updated via the books companion website.

Author Biography

Andrew Liddle is Professor of astrophysics at the Astronomy Centre of the University of Sussex, and a university Director of Research. He is the author or co-author of more than 150 scientific papers and two technical textbooks. His research focuses on theoretical cosmology and astrophysics, in particular on the origin and evolution of the structure of the Universe.
Jon Loveday is Senior Lecturer in astronomy at the University of Sussex. He is also director of graduate studies. He has previously held positions at the University of Chicago, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Australian National University. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 scientific papers. His research focuses on observational cosmology and galaxy surveys.

Table of Contents

Preface

Glossary

Commonly used symbols

Overview: the Hot Big Bang Cosmology

The Oxford Companion to Cosmology A-Z

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.