Introduction to Cosmology [Paperback]

Jayant V. Narlikar (Author), Fred Hoyle (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 1993 | ISBN-10: 052142352X | ISBN-13: 978-0521423526 | Edition: 2

This introductory textbook describes modern cosmology at a level suitable for advanced undergraduates who are familiar with mathematical methods and basic theoretical physics. An introductory survey of the large scale structure of the universe is followed by an outline of general relativity. This is then used to construct the standard models of the universe. The very early and early stages of the Big Bang are described, and this includes primordial nucleosynthesis, grand unified theories, primordial black holes, and the era of quantum cosmology. The problem of the formation of structure in the universe is then addressed. This textbook concludes with brief outlines of alternative cosmologies. It includes 400 problems for students to solve, and is accompanied by numerous worked examples.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This valuable graduate-student text is comprehensible and has many problems for students to solve." Sky and Telescope

Book Description

This revised edition of an established text book includes the new inflationary universe and the latest results on the study of cosmic background radiation. It introduces modern cosmology at a level suitable for final year undergraduates and postgraduates in theoretical physics and applied mathematics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 429 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (April 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052142352X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521423526
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,857,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Cosmology (Paperback)

Jayant Narlikar's `Introduction to Cosmology' has a simple enough title, but do not be deceived. This is a graduate-level textbook on one of the most difficult subjects around--mathematical, theoretical explorations of large-scale universal structures.

If, as Stephen Hawking once said, for every equation in the book, you lose half your readership, I would calculate (just off the top of my head) that only a dozen people have read this book! Actually, to be serious, this book presupposes a knowledge of calculus (differential equations, vector analysis, Fourier series, etc.) and assumes a fairly extensive knowledge of physics (thermodynamics, electromagnetic theory, atomic structure, fluid dynamics).

This is intended as a text book for the advanced undergraduate or graduate level student, and to that end, it has problems, most of which are computational in nature.

`It is usual to find cosmology appearing at the end of a text on general relativity, introduced more as an appendage than as a subject in its own right. Perhaps this is one reason why cosmology still stands apart from the rest of astronomy, where it really belongs. The astronomer tends to regard cosmology as a playground for general relativists rather than a logical extension of extragalactic astronomy.'

Narlikar introduces general relativistic theory as a tool rather than a subject, for use in understanding the geometrical principles applied to cosmology. He continues forward to use standard models (Friedmann) of cosmology as solutions to Einstein's equations, before progressing to discussing the physical properties of cosmology, including galactic evolution (structure, kinematics and dynamics--one could refer here then to Milhaus and Binney's work on the same), particle physics and early universe issues.

From here, Narlikar progresses to some non-standard cosmological constructions, including anisotropic cosmologies, steady state theories and cosmologies that might correspond to the Mach principle (although, as the name non-standard would indicate, these are fringe, or sometimes, older theories, which are largely discredited, but science must look to them as they occasionally give insight into observations). This, as an introduction, is not exhaustive, and does not get into cosmological models such as Alfven & Klein's matter-antimatter symmetry, the Einstein-Cartan cosmologies, or Milne's kinematic relativity, or the ideas of Segal or McCrea.

From here Narlikar ends the book with discussion of observational cosmology, exploring the implications of local observations (such as background microwave radiation that permeates the universe, a discovery of Penzias and Wilson at Bell Telephone Laboratories), the Hubble Constant and redshift issues, and quasars (do they or do they not fit standard models of cosmology and scientific principles currently known?).

`By claiming to describe the universe as a whole, cosmology transcends the realms of all other branches of science. Any conclusions about the universe are bound to be profound and hence must be drawn with caution. This caution is often missing in statements about cosmology. All too often the investigator (whether a theoretician or an observer) is tempted to mistake the model of the universe for the real thing. Categorical remarks about the state of the universe are often found upon closer examination to be model-dependent. Firm claims about observations of the universe have had to be withdrawn later when a better assessment of the observational error became possible.'

In conclusion, Narlikar gives an brief summary of the cases for and against standard cosmological models, and a glimpse into future research, which will be aided as observational tools become more sensitive.

This is a science text book, and thus is rather dry and straightforward in presentation. But as a tool for the high-end astronomer/astrophysicist, it is a valuable work.