An Introduction to Cosmology

by J. V. Narlikar

• ISBN13: 9780521793766
• ISBN10: 0521793769
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-04
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The third edition of this successful textbook is fully updated and includes important recent developments in cosmology. It begins with an introduction to cosmology and general relativity, and goes on to cover the mathematical models of standard cosmology. The physical aspects of cosmology, including primordial nucleosynthesis, the astroparticle physics of inflation, and the current ideas on structure formation are discussed. Alternative models of cosmology are reviewed, including the model of Quasi-Steady State Cosmology, which has recently been proposed as an alternative to Big Bang Cosmology. The final chapters discuss observational cosmology, and debate theory versus observational methods. The book includes 400 problems and numerous worked examples. This introductory textbook describes modern cosmology at a level suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduates who are familiar with mathematical methods and basic theoretical physics. It is intended for use on courses in theoretical physics, astrophysics or applied mathematics that include modern cosmology.

Author Biography

Jayant Narlikar graduated from Banaras Hindu University, India, in 1957. He then studied mathematics at Cambridge University, graduating with the highest honours and the Tyson Medal for Astronomy. He continued in Cambridge, obtaining first a Ph.D. and then the Sc.D. degree of Cambridge University. Professor Narlikar was a founder staff member of the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy in Cambridge in 1966 and later, in 1988, set up and became director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune, India. He has received world-wide acclaim for his research in gravitation and cosmology

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Preface to the first edition	xii
Preface to the second edition	xv
Preface to the third edition	xvi
The large-scale structure of the universe	1	(37)
Astronomy and cosmology	1	(1)
From Herschel to Hubble	2	(7)
Types of galaxy	9	(9)
Radio sources	18	(3)
Quasars	21	(1)
Structures on the largest scale	22	(5)
Coordinates and catalogues of astronomical objects	27	(2)
The expansion of the universe	29	(4)
Radiation backgrounds	33	(1)
Theoretical models of the Universe	34	(4)
Exercises	36	(2)
The general theory of relativity	38	(56)
Space, time and gravitation	38	(3)
Vectors and tensors	41	(8)
Covariant differentiation	49	(4)
Riemannian geometry	53	(2)
Spacetime curvature	55	(3)
Geodesics	58	(3)
The principle of equivalence	61	(4)
The action principle and the energy tensors	65	(5)
Gravitational equations	70	(4)
The Schwarzschild solution	74	(3)
Experimental tests of general relativity	77	(17)
Exercises	87	(7)
From relativity to cosmology	94	(31)
The historical background	94	(2)
Newtonian cosmology	96	(3)
The Einstein universe	99	(5)
The expanding universe	104	(2)
Simplifying assumptions of cosmology	106	(6)
The redshift	112	(2)
Apparent brightness	114	(4)
Hubble's law	118	(1)
Angular size	119	(2)
Surface brightness	121	(1)
Source counts	121	(4)
Exercises	122	(3)
The Friedmann models	125	(37)
Introduction	125	(2)
The Einstein field equations simplified for cosmology	127	(2)
Energy tensors of the universe	129	(5)
The Friedmann models	134	(9)
The luminosity distance	143	(3)
Horizons and the Hubble radius	146	(2)
The angular-size-redshift relation	148	(2)
Source counts	150	(2)
The radiation background from sources	152	(2)
Cosmological models with the λ-term	154	(4)
Concluding remarks	158	(4)
Exercises	159	(3)
Relics of the big bang	162	(32)
The radiation-dominated universe	162	(3)
Thermodynamics of the early universe	165	(7)
Primordial neutrinos	172	(3)
The neutron-to-proton ration	175	(4)
The synthesis of light nuclei	179	(6)
The microwave background	185	(5)
Concluding remarks	190	(4)
Exercises	190	(4)
The very early universe	194	(43)
Cosmology and particle physics	194	(4)
The survival of massive particles	198	(5)
Grand unified theories and baryogenesis	203	(12)
Some problems of Friedmann cosmology	215	(5)
The inflationary universe	220	(7)
Primordial black holes	227	(3)
Quantum cosmology	230	(1)
Conclusion	231	(6)
Exercises	234	(3)
The formation of large-scale structures in the universe	237	(41)
A key problem in cosmology	237	(1)
The Jeans mass in the expanding universe	238	(8)
Growth in the post-recombination era	246	(4)
Observational constraints	250	(6)
Density and mass fluctuations	256	(2)
Inputs from the inflationary phase	258	(5)
The role of dark matter	263	(7)
The non-linear regime	270	(8)
Exercises	274	(4)
Alternative cosmologies	278	(39)
Alternatives to Friedmann cosmologies	278	(1)
Mach's principle	279	(4)
The Brans-Dicke theory of gravity	283	(3)
Cosmological solutions of the Brans-Dicke equations	286	(4)
The Hoyle-Narlikar cosmologies	290	(8)
Gravitational equations of NH theory	298	(5)
The large-numbers hypothesis	303	(2)
The two metrics	305	(3)
Cosmological models based on the LNH	308	(4)
Concluding remarks	312	(5)
Exercises	312	(5)
Cosmologies with creation of matter	317	(51)
Introduction	317	(1)
The steady-state theory	318	(7)
Observable parameters of the steady-state cosmology	325	(2)
Physical and astrophysical considerations	327	(2)
The quasi-steady-state cosmology	329	(5)
Planck particles	334	(1)
The cosmological constant	335	(2)
The creation of matter	337	(6)
Cosmological models	343	(4)
The quasi-steady-state solution	347	(2)
The astrophysical picture	349	(1)
The origin of the light nuclei	350	(2)
The microwave background	352	(8)
Large-scale structure	360	(2)
Concluding remarks	362	(6)
Exercises	364	(4)
Local observational tests of cosmological significance	368	(68)
Introduction	368	(2)
The measurement of Hubble's constant	370	(17)
The anisotropy of local large-scale velocity fields	387	(5)
The distribution and density of matter in our neighbourhood	392	(15)
The age of the universe	407	(5)
The abundances of light nuclei	412	(4)
The evidence for antimatter	416	(2)
The microwave background	418	(18)
Exercises	430	(6)
Observations of distant parts of the universe	436	(52)
The past light cone	436	(2)
The redshift-magnitude relation	438	(11)
Number counts of extragalactic objects	449	(10)
The variation of angular size with distance	459	(6)
The surface-brightness test	465	(1)
Quasars as probes of the history of the universe	465	(10)
Observational constraints on cosmological parameters	475	(6)
The variation of fundamental constants	481	(7)
Exercises	485	(3)
A critical overview of cosmology	488	(23)
Cosmology as a science	488	(1)
Observational constraints on the QSSC	489	(5)
The case for standard cosmology	494	(1)
The case against standard cosmology	495	(2)
The outlook for the future	497	(3)
Concluding remarks	500	(11)
Exercises	509	(2)
Table of constants	511	(3)
Glossary of symbols and abbreviations	514	(1)
Bibliography	515	(18)
Index	533