Spectacular observational breakthroughs by recent experiments, and particularly the WMAP satellite, have heralded a new epoch of CMB science forty years after its original discovery. Taking a physical approach, the authors probe the problem of the ???darkness??? of the Universe: the origin and evolution of dark energy and matter in the cosmos. Starting with the observational background of modern cosmology, they provide an up-to-date and accessible review of this fascinating yet complex subject. Topics discussed include the kinetics of the electromagnetic radiation in the Universe, the ionization history of cosmic plasmas, the origin of primordial perturbations in light of the inflation paradigm, and the formation of anisotropy and polarization of the CMB. This timely and accessible review will be valuable to advanced students and researchers in cosmology. The text highlights the progress made by recent experiments, including the WMAP satellite, and looks ahead to future CMB experiments.

This book is the first complete account of the scientific life and work of Edwin Hubble, whose discoveries form the basis of all theories of the evolution of the universe. One of the outstanding astronomers of the twentieth century, Hubble studied the velocities or redshifts of galaxies and discovered that the universe is expanding. He convincingly proved that our galaxy is only one of countless galaxies and thus paved the way for the exploration of an immense world beyond the limits of our knowledge. The exploding universe proposed by Hubble, now termed the Big Bang, is used to explain the origin of the elements, of stars, and of galaxies. The second part of the book describes the fundamental discoveries on the nature of the universe made subsequently, and thus sets his achievements in context. Hubble's vision, particularly his efforts to help build the big telescope at Mt. Palomar, firmly established the United States as a leader in observational astronomy. Written by two prominent astronomers (Dr. Novikov is the author of Black Holes and the Universe, CUP, 1990) who have built on Hubble's work, this book is a classic of science, setting out the thrilling story of the exploding universe.

This book is the first complete account of the scientific life and work of Edwin Hubble, whose discoveries form the basis of all theories of the evolution of the universe. One of the outstanding astronomers of the twentieth century, Hubble studied the velocities or redshifts of galaxies and discovered that the universe is expanding. He convincingly proved that our galaxy is only one of countless galaxies and thus paved the way for the exploration of an immense world beyond the limits of our knowledge. The exploding universe proposed by Hubble, now termed the Big Bang, is used to explain the origin of the elements, of stars, and of galaxies. The second part of the book describes the fundamental discoveries on the nature of the universe made subsequently, and thus sets his achievements in context. Hubble's vision, particularly his efforts to help build the big telescope at Mt. Palomar, firmly established the United States as a leader in observational astronomy. Written by two prominent astronomers (Dr. Novikov is the author of Black Holes and the Universe, CUP, 1990) who have built on Hubble's work, this book is a classic of science, setting out the thrilling story of the exploding universe.

Spectacular observational breakthroughs, particularly by the WMAP satellite, have led to a new epoch of CMB science long after its original discovery. Taking a physical approach, the authors of this volume, which was first published in 2006, probe the problem of the 'darkness' of the Universe: the origin and evolution of dark energy and matter in the cosmos. Starting with the observational background of modern cosmology, they provide an accessible review of this fascinating yet complex subject. Topics discussed include the kinetics of the electromagnetic radiation in the Universe, the ionization history of cosmic plamas, the origin of primordial perturbations in light of the inflation paradigm, and the formation of anisotropy and polarization of the CMB. This fascinating review will be valuable to advanced students and researchers in cosmology.

The nature of time has long fascinated physicists and the general public. As an irresistible flow into which all events are embedded, time cannot be slowed or accelerated, nor can it be undone or turned back. In The River of Time , Igor Novikov describes how the thinkers throughout history have defined time and how these discoveries demonstrate that humans may influence time's flow. He describes how time flows in specific regions of the Universe, how it stops in black holes and splashes over the brim in white holes, and how time may convert into space and vice versa. Exploring time's genesis at the Big Bang, Novikov details how recent discoveries indicate that time machine travel might be possible. Igor Novikov is the Director of the Theoretical Astrophysics Center and Professor of the Astronomical Observatory of Copenhagen University. He began his scientific career at the Moscow State University and has since been affiliated with the Institute of Applied Mathematics, Moscow, the Space Research Institute, Moscow, and Copenhagen University. He has published more than 250 scientific papers and 150 articles and is the co-author of Edwin Hubble: Discoverer of the Big Bang (Cambridge, 1993) and Black Holes and the Universe (Cambridge, 1993). Previous paperback edition (1998) 0-521-46737-3

Igor Novikov has been hailed as "Russia's answer to Stephen Hawking." In this popular account of the cosmic importance of black holes, he explores the properties and significance of these mysterious phenomena, which represent the most condensed state of matter in the Universe. Black holes are formed by the force of gravity, warping space and time, crushing stars and perhaps galaxies, too, until they fall in on themselves. Novikov's fascinating account illuminates this most enigmatic feature of our Universe with exemplary clarity, illustrated with a series of inspired cartoon drawings.