The Cosmic Century: A History of Astrophysics and Cosmology [Hardcover]

Malcolm S. Longair (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521474361 | ISBN-13: 978-0521474368 | Publication Date: June 26, 2006

The twentieth-century witnessed the development of astrophysics and cosmology from subjects which scarcely existed to two of the most exciting and demanding areas of contemporary scientific inquiry. In this book Malcolm Longair reviews the historical development of the key areas of modern astrophysics, linking the strands together to show how they have led to the extraordinarily rich panorama of modern astrophysics and cosmology. While many of the great discoveries were derived from pioneering observations, the emphasis is upon the development of theoretical concepts and how they came to be accepted. These advances have led astrophysicists and cosmologists to ask some of the deepest questions about the nature of our Universe and have pushed astronomical observations to the very limit. This is a fantastic story, and one which would have defied the imaginations of even the greatest story-tellers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book is written in a clear, concise manner at a level suitable for undergraduates...With its exhaustive bibliography and careful indexing, this excellent book is destined to be come an important and familiar resource." -- Choice

"...Malcolm Longair has written a very timely book, directed toward students, researchers, and lecturers; I enjoyed experiencing all three roles while reading it. It is a lucid and in-depth presentation of the subject and introduces topics at various levels of complexity.... Longair's style very effectively engages the reader in the story of this wonderful adventure of the human mind."
Riccardo Giacconi, Physics Today

2007 Outstanding Academic Title -- Choice Magazine

"...a sweeping overview of our progress in understanding the univesre, made during the 20th century...I found this book to be an excellent overview." --Review from the Online Bookstore of the American Association of Variable Star Observers

Book Description

The twentieth-century witnessed the development of astrophysics and cosmology from subjects which scarcely existed to two of the most exciting areas of contemporary scientific inquiry. This book reviews the historical development of the subjects, to show how they have led to the extraordinarily rich panorama of modern astrophysics and cosmology.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 565 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521474361
• ISBN-13: 978-0521474368
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #662,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reaching for the stars, August 2, 2006

By 

John F. Leamons - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Cosmic Century: A History of Astrophysics and Cosmology (Hardcover)

In this attractively produced book, Malcolm Longair, Head of the Cavendish Laboratory, recounts the development and spectacular successes of astrophysics and cosmology. Although the focus throughout is on high theory, the math tends to be confined to 'explanatory supplements' tacked onto the ends of chapters, with the result that general readers familiar with the basic concepts of physics and astronomy will be able to follow the narrative without difficulty. (Others would do well to begin with Bernard Schutz's marvelous book, Gravity from the Ground Up.)

The lesson that seems to emerge from this utterly absorbing story is that, in favorable circumstances, theory and observation, working in partnership, can, as it were, defy Newton's third law and quickly slingshot one another to heights of inquiry--unreachable by unaided fantasy or vacant stargazing--from which can be spied the most bizarre truths ever disclosed. A century ago, no one could have suspected that the universe looks a lot like a bath sponge. Or that the heavenly bodies in their motions are less like a perfectly choreographed procession than like a colossal train wreck. Thanks to astrophysics and cosmology we now know that the universe is immense, immensely profligate and incredibly violent--but mostly just cold and empty. And that's lucky for astronomers, because in a cold and empty universe you can see a long way, and a long way back.

There is much in this book that will delight and amuse. In 1920, Arthur Eddington's Cambridge colleague, Francis Aston, was making precise measurements of atomic masses. Eddington noted that four hydrogen atoms have slightly more mass than one atom of helium and suggested that this mass difference, converted to energy, could easily meet a star's energy needs! In 1967, Hewish and Bell discovered neutron stars by making radio observations at 81.5 MHz, a frequency just a little below that of your local classical music FM station.

This book is highly recommended. Rich in well-organized detail, it contains numerous well-chosen images, graphs and tables, 57 pages of references, a name index, an object index and a useful subject index. It is beautifully printed and there isn't a dull page in it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Cosmology for the technically literate non-specialist, May 4, 2008

By 

John Ames (Ashland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Cosmic Century: A History of Astrophysics and Cosmology (Hardcover)

This is almost the book for which I have been looking. It traces the history of cosmology through the 20th century giving the actual technical description of the various phenomena and models. Many original data charts and all the relevant equations are included. My only complaint is that like most cosmologists, the author assumes that the reader is familiar with the sometimes arcane notations and variable substitutions used in the field. I wish I could send the author a copy with annotations such as "what's this?", and in a couple of years receive an updated 2nd edition. These nits aside, the book is much more satisfying to a technically literate reader than the great bulk of popular books on cosmology.