Understanding the Universe

Understanding the Universe Synopsis

Cosmology examines how the universe developed from its primordial state to the current day stars, galaxies and other features we observe today. This book aims to guide the readers on humanity's understanding of the universe, from ancient ideas to contemporary ones, and inspire them to search for answers to some of our biggest questions. The book examines general relativity and quantum mechanics changed our pictures of the cosmos - from a dynamically evolving universe to the astrophysics of compact stars and black holes, gravitational waves, and the very nature of spacetime itself. In addition to the physics, the book puts emphasis on how our prejudices, preconceptions and philosophy influenced our model-buildings and interpretations, for better or for worse.

Key Features:

• An introduction to modern theoretical physics in gravitation, black holes and cosmology
• Building up to the frontier of current research starting from the basic but fundamental ideas
• Emphasis on how ideas are developed through the history and the underlying philosophy of the subject. This aims to encourage critical thinking skills.
• Examining, or at least makes clear, the assumptions and philosophical thinking in contemporary ideas in gravitation and cosmology