
The Infinite Cosmos
Questions from the frontiers of cosmology
Joseph Silk(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 9. February 2006
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-0-19-850510-5 (ISBN)
Description
From time immemorial, poets and philosophers have looked in awe and wonder at the Universe. Such awe is shared by astrophysicists, too, as they seek to understand its nature, and whether it has any limits. In The Infinite Cosmos, Joseph Silk, Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford University, cosmologist and well-known science writer, brings together the modern understanding of the Universe, its structure, its evolution, and its possible fate, combining the latest from theory and observation. The narrative is peppered with quotations from literature and philosophy, and reflects, too, on the process of scientific discovery, and the implications of our discoveries.
Reviews / Votes
This book packs so much into a decidedly finite space. Silk covers everything you might hope to find in a book by one of the world's leading cosmologists, and much more besides... Accessible and informative. * Peter Coles, Nature * This is an outstanding work, suited to readers of all ages and all backgrounds, and is recommended without the slightest hesitation. * Patrick Moore, THES * accessible and informative * Peter Coles, Nature *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
General readers of popular science, particularly those with an interest in cosmology, professional physicists and astronomers.
Illustrations
Numerous line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
558 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-850510-5 (9780198505105)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
02/2008
Oxford University Press
€22.27
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Joseph Silk is Savilian Professor of Astronomy and Head of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford. He is an experienced and successful author of books on cosmology for the general reader: his published titles include The Big Bang (W. H. Freeman) and The Left Hand of Creation (with J. D. Barrow, published by Oxford University Press).
Content
1. Introduction ; 2. Perspectives ; 3. Principles ; 4. Our neighbourhood ; 5. The universe of galaxies ; 6. The invisible cosmos ; 7. Supermassive black holes and the birth of galaxies ; 8. Clusters and clustering ; 9. Space is nearly flat ; 10. Dark energy and the runaway universe ; 11. The panacea of cold dark matter ; 12. From time to time machines ; 13. Origins ; 14. The seeds of structure ; 15. Beyond the beginning ; 16. Towards the infinite universe ; 17. Into the infinite future ; 18. And so to God ; 19. Conclusion ; 20. Glossary ; 21. Index