|
Showing 1 - 6 of
6 matches in All Departments
For several decades since its inception, Einstein's general theory
of relativity stood somewhat aloof from the rest of physics.
Paradoxically, the attributes which normally boost a physical
theory - namely, its perfection as a theoreti cal framework and the
extraordinary intellectual achievement underlying i- prevented the
general theory from being assimilated in the mainstream of physics.
It was as if theoreticians hesitated to tamper with something that
is manifestly so beautiful. Happily, two developments in the 1970s
have narrowed the gap. In 1974 Stephen Hawking arrived at the
remarkable result that black holes radiate after all. And in the
second half of the decade, particle physicists discovered that the
only scenario for applying their grand unified theories was offered
by the very early phase in the history of the Big Bang universe. In
both cases, it was necessary to discuss the ideas of quantum field
theory in the background of curved spacetime that is basic to
general relativity. This is, however, only half the total story. If
gravity is to be brought into the general fold of theoretical
physics we have to know how to quantize it. To date this has proved
a formidable task although most physicists would agree that, as in
the case of grand unified theories, quantum gravity will have
applications to cosmology, in the very early stages of the Big Bang
universe. In fact, the present picture of the Big Bang universe
necessarily forces us to think of quantum cosmology.
This volume contains papers presented at an international
conference to celebrate Fred Hoyle's monumental contributions to
astronomy, astrophysics and astrobiology and more generally to
humanity and culture. The contributed articles highlight the
important aspects of his scientific life and show how much of an
example and inspiration he has been for over three generations in
the 20th century.
There are a few people of whom it could be said they changed the
way we perceive the world. Galileo Galilei, Nicholas Copernicus and
Isaac Newton were amongst these. The inclusion of Fred Hoyle in
this elite group may be contentious at the moment for the reason
that in challenging the most cherished of Holy Grails in science he
unwittingly offended many. But once the dust has settled over the
many disputes that were raised and in the fullness of time there
can be little doubt that Fred Hoyle will be ranked alongside these
figures of history.
Hoyle perceived science with an indomitable passion and an
obsessive desire to find the truth wherever it lay. His singleness
of purpose in this great mission and his deep suspicion of
orthodoxy, his powerful intellect and imagination set him apart
from most of his contemporaries in the last century.
This volume includes papers presented at a commemorative conference
held in Cardiff in June 2002. The material divides naturally into
several sections: Personal Reminiscences, Stellar Structure and
Evolution, Cosmology, Interstellar Matter, Comets and finally
Panspermia. Each article pays its own tribute to Fred Hoyle for his
inspiration and guidance that led to major breakthroughs in
astrophysics and space science throughout the 20th century.
This volume contains papers presented at an international
conference to celebrate Fred Hoyle's monumental contributions to
astronomy, astrophysics and astrobiology and more generally to
humanity and culture. The contributed articles highlight the
important aspects of his scientific life and show how much of an
example and inspiration he has been for over three generations in
the 20th century.
There are a few people of whom it could be said they changed the
way we perceive the world. Galileo Galilei, Nicholas Copernicus and
Isaac Newton were amongst these. The inclusion of Fred Hoyle in
this elite group may be contentious at the moment for the reason
that in challenging the most cherished of Holy Grails in science he
unwittingly offended many. But once the dust has settled over the
many disputes that were raised and in the fullness of time there
can be little doubt that Fred Hoyle will be ranked alongside these
figures of history.
Hoyle perceived science with an indomitable passion and an
obsessive desire to find the truth wherever it lay. His singleness
of purpose in this great mission and his deep suspicion of
orthodoxy, his powerful intellect and imagination set him apart
from most of his contemporaries in the last century.
This volume includes papers presented at a commemorative conference
held in Cardiff in June 2002. The material divides naturally into
several sections: Personal Reminiscences, Stellar Structure and
Evolution, Cosmology, Interstellar Matter, Comets and finally
Panspermia. Each article pays its own tribute to Fred Hoyle for his
inspiration and guidance that led to major breakthroughs in
astrophysics and space science throughout the 20th century.
For several decades since its inception, Einstein's general theory
of relativity stood somewhat aloof from the rest of physics.
Paradoxically, the attributes which normally boost a physical
theory - namely, its perfection as a theoreti cal framework and the
extraordinary intellectual achievement underlying i- prevented the
general theory from being assimilated in the mainstream of physics.
It was as if theoreticians hesitated to tamper with something that
is manifestly so beautiful. Happily, two developments in the 1970s
have narrowed the gap. In 1974 Stephen Hawking arrived at the
remarkable result that black holes radiate after all. And in the
second half of the decade, particle physicists discovered that the
only scenario for applying their grand unified theories was offered
by the very early phase in the history of the Big Bang universe. In
both cases, it was necessary to discuss the ideas of quantum field
theory in the background of curved spacetime that is basic to
general relativity. This is, however, only half the total story. If
gravity is to be brought into the general fold of theoretical
physics we have to know how to quantize it. To date this has proved
a formidable task although most physicists would agree that, as in
the case of grand unified theories, quantum gravity will have
applications to cosmology, in the very early stages of the Big Bang
universe. In fact, the present picture of the Big Bang universe
necessarily forces us to think of quantum cosmology."
The third edition of this successful textbook is fully updated and includes important recent developments in cosmology. It begins with an introduction to cosmology and general relativity, and goes on to cover the mathematical models of standard cosmology. The physical aspects of cosmology, including primordial nucleosynthesis, the astroparticle physics of inflation, and the current ideas on structure formation are discussed. Alternative models of cosmology are reviewed, including the model of Quasi-Steady State Cosmology, which has recently been proposed as an alternative to Big Bang Cosmology.
The astronomical community is wrongly interpreting cosmological
data by using the standard Big Bang Model. In this highly
controversial volume, three distinguished cosmologists argue this
premise with persuasion and conviction. Starting with the
beginnings of modern cosmology, they conduct a deep and wide review
of the observations made from 1945 to the present, explaining what
they regard as the defects and inconsistencies that exist within
the interpretation of cosmological data. This is followed by an
extensive presentation of the authors' own alternative view of the
status of observations and how they should be explained. Along the
way, the book touches on the most fundamental questions, including
the origin, age, structure, and properties of the Universe. Writing
from the heart, with passion and punch, Hoyle, Burbidge, and
Narlikar, make a powerful case for viewing the universe in a
different light, which will be of great interest to graduate
students, researchers, and professionals in astronomy, cosmology,
and physics.
|
You may like...
Morgan
Kate Mara, Jennifer Jason Leigh, …
Blu-ray disc
(1)
R70
Discovery Miles 700
Catan
(16)
R1,150
R889
Discovery Miles 8 890
|