Cosmic Questions: Galactic Halos, Cold Dark Matter and the End of Time [Paperback]

Richard Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1995 | ISBN-10: 0471132969 | ISBN-13: 978-0471132967 | Edition: 1

Did the Big Bang really happen?

Is space infinite?

When did time begin?

In this "superb new book" (San Francisco Chronicle), acclaimed science writer Richard Morris probes a host of far-reaching questions about the fundamental nature of the universe. The result is a masterful exploration of the newest discoveries and theories in the field of cosmology-the study of the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe. With dramatic flair and enthusiasm, he introduces us to the intriguing world of cosmic strings and quark nuggets, shadow matter and imaginary time. He brings emerging theoretical concepts into clear focus, offering keen insight into science's most puzzling riddles, the very questions that have challenged and confounded humankind through the ages. Featuring a thorough explanation of the breakthrough voyage of NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) and its effects on the Big Bang theory, this remarkable book is a fascinating journey along the cutting edge of cosmological discovery.

Praise for Richard Morris...

"Mr. Morris's genius is an ability to reveal the wonderful. --Kansas City Star

"Morris does a clearer job explaining Hawking than Hawking did." --Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a fresh exploration of intriguing questions in cosmology, Morris ( Dismantling the Universe ) presents new theories for popular understanding. He is expert at the primer-for-adults style that shapes the usual grab bag of questions: Did the Big Bang really happen? What is time? What is the universe made of? All of this has been discussed by popular science writers during the last decade. Morris contends that "scientists now think they will be able to answer" the old "series of metaphysical-sounding questions," based to a large extent on the findings of NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer. If he is right and "we are currently witnessing the beginning of the Golden Age of cosmology," then the publishers of popular science treatments are well ahead of the physicists. Newbridge Astronomy and QPB alternates.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Together, these two books provide a fascinating and excellent introduction to modern cosmology in terms of recent scientific discoveries and new theoretical frameworks. They focus on basic questions concerning the origin and history of this universe that remain unanswered despite Albert Einstein's relativity physics, Niels Bohr's quantum mechanics, and Stephen Hawking's speculations on time and black holes. In Cosmic Questions , physicist Morris gives a clear and concise treatment of space; cosmic models, e.g., the Big Bang theory, with its early but short inflationary expansion phase; and the ongoing quest for a grand unified theory (GUT) of subatomic particles. He also briefly discusses quarks, quasars, wormholes, superstrings, antimatter, galactic halos, quantum fluctuations, and nonbaryonic dark matter, e.g., neutrinos. Especially engaging are his comments on theories of time and the anthropic principle. Against the background of the Hubble constant, Guth's inflationary model of this universe, and the author's own scientific involvement in mapping the distribution of galaxies, astronomer Rowan-Robinson's Ripples in the Cosmos stresses the far-reaching consequences of Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson's dicovery of the Big Bang microwave background radiation in 1965 and their discovery of "ripples" in this radiation in 1992. Two remaining difficulties are accounting for the origin of galactic structures and determining the critical density of this universe. Nevertheless, telescopic discoveries are setting limits to cosmic models, theories, and speculations. Also, both authors touch upon the philosophical significance of human life in an evolving cosmos. As a general survey of our expanding universe written to benefit both the lay reader and specialist, these two books are recommended for all science collections. --James Birx, Canisius Coll., Buffalo, N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471132969
• ISBN-13: 978-0471132967
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative., March 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cosmic Questions: Galactic Halos, Cold Dark Matter and the End of Time (Paperback)

This book is very well written as far as scientific material is concerned. Having a very funadmantal understanding of such concepts as the Big Bang would prove to be helpful while reading, but not once was I utterly confused. The book is jam-packed with useful info and data. Kudos to Richard Morris for a fine book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Straight answers to cosmic questions, October 24, 2004

By 

G. Yanez (Montréal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cosmic Questions: Galactic Halos, Cold Dark Matter and the End of Time (Hardcover)

This book is a must in every amateur astronomer's bookshelf. Freshmen following a first course in cosmology may also find this book useful as a first intuitive approach to the field. The author is extremely clear in his explanations and he reminds me the writing style of French Canadian Hubert Reeves, one of the most famous cosmology writers for the general public.
Structuring the book with "questions" is an extremely useful approach for those trying to demystify space and time.