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Books > Science & Mathematics > Astronomy, space & time
Does science deny God? Did the Universe and life appear by chance
or is there evidence of a bigger scheme of thing behind them? In
this context, I am concerned with answering these questions. This
problem is addressed using knowledge in cosmology, physics and
biology. The initial part describes the stages of the 'Genesis'
according to physical cosmology from the Big Bang to the appearance
of life on Earth. It will touch on problems of why the universe is
dominated by matter, the theory of inflation, the limits of our
knowledge on the early Universe, the lack of a theory that can
allow us to study the phases immediately after the Big Bang, the
relation between the concepts of quantum mechanics and the
existence of God. It shows how the Universe is finely regulated,
that is, the physical constants have been chosen so that life
appears in the Universe. The regulation is so strong that we are
forced to think the existence of a great designer who has created a
particular Universe like the one we are observing. This conclusion
can be avoided only if there is an infinity of universes, a
multiverse. We ask ourselves if science can create the Universe
from nothing and using the same arguments of cosmologists such as
Krauss (author of The Universe from Nothing). It is now known that
the current science does not allow the creation of a Universe from
absolutely nothing. Physics and cosmology do not deny God. Indeed,
the argument of the fine adjustment of constants is strongly
indicative of the existence of a great designer. Other evidence
confirming this comes from biology. Thousands of experiments in
recent decades highlight the impossibility of generating life in
the laboratory. There is an intrinsic order in life encoded in DNA
that is not present in experiments. Simple calculations show that
the 'blind and aimless' evolution described by neo-Darwinists such
as Dawkins does not allow the generation of life.
Top ten Sunday Times Bestseller 'Engaging, ambitious and creative'
Guardian Where are we? Are we alone? Who are we? Why are we here?
What is our future? Human Universe tackles some of the greatest
questions that humans have asked to try and understand the very
nature of ourselves and the Universe in which we live. Through the
endless leaps of human minds, it explores the extraordinary depth
of our knowledge today and where our curiosity may lead us in the
future. With groundbreaking insight it reveals how time, physics
and chemistry came together to create a creature that can wonder at
its own existence, blessed with an unquenchable thirst to discover
not just where it came from, but how it can think, where it is
going and if it is alone. Accompanies the acclaimed BBC TV series.
In April 1992, a discovery was made that changed the way we view
the world. Dr. George Smoot, distinguished cosmologist and
adventurer, whose quest for cosmic knowledge had taken him from the
Brazilian rain forest to the South Pole unveiled his momentous
discovery, bringing to light the very nature of the universe. For
anyone who has ever looked up at the night sky and wondered, for
anyone who has ever longed to pull aside the fabric of the universe
for a glimpse of what lies behind it. Wrinkles in Time is the story
of Smoot's search to uncover the cosmic seeds of the universe.
Wrinkles in Time is the Double Helix of cosmology, an intimate look
at the inner world of men and women who ask. "Why are we here?" It
tells the story of George Smoot's dogged pursuit of the cosmic
wrinkles in the frozen wastes of Antarctica, on mountaintops, in
experiments borne aloft aboard high-altitude balloons, U-2 spy
planes, and finally a space satellite. Wrinkles in Time presents
the hard science behind the structured violence of the big bang
theory through breathtakingly clear, lucid images and meaningful
comparisons. Scientists and nonscientists alike can follow with
rapt attention the story of how, in a fiery creation, wrinkles
formed in space ultimately to become stars, galaxies, and even
greater delicate structures. Anyone can appreciate the implications
of a universe whose end is written in its beginnings - whose course
developed according to a kind of cosmic DNA, which guided the
universe from simplicity and symmetry to ever-greater complexity
and structure. As controversial as it may seem today, Wrinkles in
Time reveals truths that, in an earlier century, would have doomed
its proclaimers to thefiery stake. For four thousand years some
people have accepted the Genesis account of cosmic origin; for most
of this century, scientists debated two rival scientific
explanations known as the steady state and big bang theories. And
now, Wrinkles in Time tells what really happened
Here is the tale of Canada’s intriguing development of the
science of Radio Astronomy. In 1946 the lone figure of Arthur
Covington started monitoring the radio emission of the Sun, a
programme that continues to this day. By the 1960s Canada had
progressed to constructing two radio observatories at either ends
of the country (the DRAO and the ARO), and universities were coming
onboard. The story continues through the dire times for these and
follows their fortunes and fates right up to the present, with
Canada now playing key roles in billion-dollar international
telescope projects. It concludes with the construction and
operation of Canada’s own transformational telescope, CHIME.
Anecdotes and images throughout the book liven the story. The
authors—two practising astronomers—have painstakingly put
together this fascinating story, drawing on first-hand experiences,
valuable contributions from many colleagues, and the research of
science historian, Richard Jarrell (1942-2013). This book fills a
gap in the substantial literature on the history of radio
astronomy. Carefully-researched by three experts and based on input
by further experts in the field, it documents the extensive
scientific and (especially) technical innovations of Canadian
scientists and engineers. This includes the important Canadian
absolute flux-density calibrations, the critical Canadian
contribution to low-frequency radio astronomy and VLBI, and the
long-running solar monitoring programme. Frank discussions about
the excellent 46-m ARO telescope and its fate lead into
considerations of Canada’s contributions to recent international
projects – the JCMT, ALMA and the upcoming SKA. The book
concludes with a description of CHIME, Canada’s own
new-generation radio installation. Ken Kellermann, Senior Scientist
Emeritus, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville,
USA
Who dug those canals on Mars? What was the biblical star of Bethlehem? Were the pyramids built by extraterrestrials?
From the ancients who charted the heavens to Star Trek, The X-files, and Apollo 13, outer space has intrigued people through the ages. Yet most of us look up at the night sky and feel totally in the dark when it comes to the basic facts about the universe. Kenneth C. Davis steps into that void with a lively and readable guide to the discoveries, theories, and real people who have shed light on the mysteries and wonders of the cosmos. Discover why Einstein was such a genius, the truth behind a blue moon or two, the amazing secrets of Stonehenge, and even how one great astronomer lost his nose. With the fun question-and -answer format that has appealed to the millions of readers of his bestselling Don't Know Much About® series, you'll be taking off on an exciting armchair exploration of the solar system, the Milky Way, and beyond.
In the field of astrophysics, modern developments of practice are
emerging in order to further understand the spectral information
derived from cosmic sources. Radio telescopes are a current mode of
practice used to observe these occurrences. Despite the various
accommodations that this technology offers, physicists around the
globe need a better understanding of the underlying physics and
operational components of radio telescopes as well as an
explanation of the cosmic objects that are being detected.
Analyzing the Physics of Radio Telescopes and Radio Astronomy is an
essential reference source that discusses the principles of the
astronomical instruments involved in the construction of radio
telescopes and the analysis of cosmic sources and celestial objects
detected by this machinery. Featuring research on topics such as
electromagnetic theory, antenna design, and geometrical optics,
this book is ideally designed for astrophysicists, engineers,
researchers, astronomers, students, and educators seeking coverage
on the operational methods of radio telescopes and understanding
the physical processes of radio astronomy.
Bringing his cosmic perspective to civilization on Earth, Neil
deGrasse Tyson, bestselling author of Astrophysics for People in a
Hurry, shines new light on the crucial fault lines of our time-war,
politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender, race, and tribalism-in a
way that stimulates a deeper sense of unity for us all. In a time
when our political and cultural perspectives feel more divisive
than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what
divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin engines of
enlightenment-a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science.
After thinking deeply about how a scientist views the world and
about what Earth looks like from space, Tyson has found that
terrestrial thoughts change as our brain resets and recalibrates
life's priorities, along with the actions we might take in
response. As a result, no outlook on culture, society, or
civilisation remains untouched. In Starry Messenger, Tyson reveals
just how human the enterprise of science is. Far from a cold,
unfeeling undertaking, scientific methods, tools, and discoveries
have shaped modern civilisation and created the landscape we've
built for ourselves on which to live, work, and play. Tyson shows
how an infusion of science and rational thinking renders worldviews
deeper and more informed than ever before-and exposes unfounded
perspectives and unjustified emotions. With crystalline prose and
an abundance of evidence, Starry Messenger walks us through the
scientific palette that sees and paints the world differently. From
lessons on resolving global conflict to reminders of how precious
it is to be alive, Tyson reveals, with warmth and eloquence, ten
surprising, brilliant, and beautiful truths of human society,
informed and enlightened by knowledge of our place in the universe.
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