Galaxies and the Cosmic Frontier

Galaxies and the Cosmic Frontier PDF Author: William Howard Waller
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 9780674010796
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 380

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Book Description
Featuring the latest observations and most compelling theories, this book provides a firm foundation for exploring the more speculative reaches of our current understanding."--BOOK JACKET.

Galaxies and the Cosmic Frontier

Galaxies and the Cosmic Frontier PDF Author: William Howard Waller
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 9780674010796
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 380

Get Book Here

Book Description
Featuring the latest observations and most compelling theories, this book provides a firm foundation for exploring the more speculative reaches of our current understanding."--BOOK JACKET.

Cosmic Dawn

Cosmic Dawn PDF Author: George Rhee
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461478138
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description
This book takes the reader on an exploration of the structure and evolution of our universe. The basis for our knowledge is the Big Bang theory of the expanding universe. This book then tells the story of our search for the first stars and galaxies using current and planned telescopes. These telescopes are marvels of technology far removed from Galileo's first telescope but continuing astronomy in his ground breaking spirit. We show the reader how these first stars and galaxies shaped the universe we see today. This story is one of the great scientific adventures of all time.

How Did the First Stars and Galaxies Form?

How Did the First Stars and Galaxies Form? PDF Author: Abraham Loeb
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400834066
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
A concise introduction to cosmology and how light first emerged in the universe Though astrophysicists have developed a theoretical framework for understanding how the first stars and galaxies formed, only now are we able to begin testing those theories with actual observations of the very distant, early universe. We are entering a new and exciting era of discovery that will advance the frontiers of knowledge, and this book couldn't be more timely. It covers all the basic concepts in cosmology, drawing on insights from an astronomer who has pioneered much of this research over the past two decades. Abraham Loeb starts from first principles, tracing the theoretical foundations of cosmology and carefully explaining the physics behind them. Topics include the gravitational growth of perturbations in an expanding universe, the abundance and properties of dark matter halos and galaxies, reionization, the observational methods used to detect the earliest galaxies and probe the diffuse gas between them—and much more. Cosmology seeks to solve the fundamental mystery of our cosmic origins. This book offers a succinct and accessible primer at a time when breathtaking technological advances promise a wealth of new observational data on the first stars and galaxies. Provides a concise introduction to cosmology Covers all the basic concepts Gives an overview of the gravitational growth of perturbations in an expanding universe Explains the process of reionization Describes the observational methods used to detect the earliest galaxies

Exploring the Cosmic Frontier

Exploring the Cosmic Frontier PDF Author: A.P. Lobanov
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540397566
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
On May 18-21, 2004, the Max-Planck-Society’s Harnack-Haus in Dahlem, Berlin hosted the international symposium "Exploring the Cosmic Frontier: Astrophysical Instruments for the 21st Century". The symposium was dedicated to exploring the complementarity and synergies between different branches of astrophysical research, by presenting and discussing the fundamental scientific problems that will be addressed in the next few decades.

The First Galaxies in the Universe

The First Galaxies in the Universe PDF Author: Abraham Loeb
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691144923
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 572

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Book Description
This book provides a comprehensive, self-contained introduction to one of the most exciting frontiers in astrophysics today: the quest to understand how the oldest and most distant galaxies in our universe first formed. Until now, most research on this question has been theoretical, but the next few years will bring about a new generation of large telescopes that promise to supply a flood of data about the infant universe during its first billion years after the big bang. This book bridges the gap between theory and observation. It is an invaluable reference for students and researchers on early galaxies. The First Galaxies in the Universe starts from basic physical principles before moving on to more advanced material. Topics include the gravitational growth of structure, the intergalactic medium, the formation and evolution of the first stars and black holes, feedback and galaxy evolution, reionization, 21-cm cosmology, and more. Provides a comprehensive introduction to this exciting frontier in astrophysics Begins from first principles Covers advanced topics such as the first stars and 21-cm cosmology Prepares students for research using the next generation of large telescopes Discusses many open questions to be explored in the coming decade

Edge of the Universe

Edge of the Universe PDF Author: Paul Halpern
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 111823460X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
An accessible look at the mysteries that lurk at the edge of the known universe and beyond The observable universe, the part we can see with telescopes, is incredibly vast. Yet recent theories suggest that there is far more to the universe than what our instruments record—in fact, it could be infinite. Colossal flows of galaxies, large empty regions called voids, and other unexplained phenomena offer clues that our own "bubble universe" could be part of a greater realm called the multiverse. How big is the observable universe? What it is made of? What lies beyond it? Was there a time before the Big Bang? Could space have unseen dimensions? In this book, physicist and science writer Paul Halpern explains what we know?and what we hope to soon find out?about our extraordinary cosmos. Explains what we know about the Big Bang, the accelerating universe, dark energy, dark flow, and dark matter to examine some of the theories about the content of the universe and why its edge is getting farther away from us faster Explores the idea that the observable universe could be a hologram and that everything that happens within it might be written on its edge Written by physicist and popular science writer Paul Halpern, whose other books include Collider: The Search for the World's Smallest Particles, and What's Science Ever Done For Us: What the Simpsons Can Teach Us About Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe

Cosmic Frontiers

Cosmic Frontiers PDF Author: Nigel Metcalfe
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Astronomy
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description
"These proceedings of an international conference held during July-August 2006 in Durham, UK, provide a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of recent observational breakthroughs from the present generation of astronomical surveys and what they imply for theories of galaxy formation and cosmology. Starting in the early Universe with the observations of the microwave background, the evidence for the standard cosmological model provided by the WMAP satellite is reviewed. It is the exquisite balance between the impressive fit to the microwave background temperature fluctuations provided by the standard model and its requirements for finely-tuned dark energy and a still undetected Cold Dark Matter particle that makes this such an exciting moment in cosmology. Other pieces of evidence for the standard model are also reviews these include the form of large-scale galaxy clustering from the extensive 2dF and SDSS surveys and also the Type Ia supernova Hubble diagram, all of which involved heroic astronomical efforts in surveying the sky. The conference then looks at the deeper surveys, now aimed at understanding the processes of galaxy formation and evolution. Here there appears to be considerably less support for the standard model. In particular, massive early-type galaxies appear to be old and also to have been in place at high redshifts. This evolutionary behavior does not arise naturally from the standard model and the proceedings review ways of reconciling such observations with theory. Thus the 15 invited reviews, 29 contributed talks, and 39 poster papers combine to provide a state-of-the-art snapshot of the observational questions set by survey astronomy for theories of cosmology and galaxy formation. The book is suitable for researchers and graduate students interested in both theoretical and observational aspects of survey astronomy, galaxy formation and cosmology." -- publisher's website.

The Cosmic Cocktail

The Cosmic Cocktail PDF Author: Katherine Freese
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691169187
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
The inside story of the epic quest to solve the mystery of dark matter The ordinary atoms that make up the known universe—from our bodies and the air we breathe to the planets and stars—constitute only 5 percent of all matter and energy in the cosmos. The rest is known as dark matter and dark energy, because their precise identities are unknown. The Cosmic Cocktail is the inside story of the epic quest to solve one of the most compelling enigmas of modern science—what is the universe made of?—told by one of today's foremost pioneers in the study of dark matter. Blending cutting-edge science with her own behind-the-scenes insights as a leading researcher in the field, acclaimed theoretical physicist Katherine Freese recounts the hunt for dark matter, from the discoveries of visionary scientists like Fritz Zwicky—the Swiss astronomer who coined the term "dark matter" in 1933—to the deluge of data today from underground laboratories, satellites in space, and the Large Hadron Collider. Theorists contend that dark matter consists of fundamental particles known as WIMPs, or weakly interacting massive particles. Billions of them pass through our bodies every second without us even realizing it, yet their gravitational pull is capable of whirling stars and gas at breakneck speeds around the centers of galaxies, and bending light from distant bright objects. Freese describes the larger-than-life characters and clashing personalities behind the race to identify these elusive particles. Many cosmologists believe we are on the verge of solving the mystery. The Cosmic Cocktail provides the foundation needed to fully fathom this epochal moment in humankind’s quest to understand the universe.

An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics

An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics PDF Author: Bradley W. Carroll
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108390242
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1361

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Book Description
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics is a comprehensive, well-organized and engaging text covering every major area of modern astrophysics, from the solar system and stellar astronomy to galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, and cosmology. Designed to provide students with a working knowledge of modern astrophysics, this textbook is suitable for astronomy and physics majors who have had a first-year introductory physics course with calculus. Featuring a brief summary of the main scientific discoveries that have led to our current understanding of the universe; worked examples to facilitate the understanding of the concepts presented in the book; end-of-chapter problems to practice the skills acquired; and computational exercises to numerically model astronomical systems, the second edition of An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics is the go-to textbook for learning the core astrophysics curriculum as well as the many advances in the field.

The Milky Way

The Milky Way PDF Author: William H. Waller
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691178356
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 330

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Book Description
A grand tour of our dynamic home galaxy This book offers an intimate guide to the Milky Way, taking readers on a grand tour of our home Galaxy's structure, genesis, and evolution, based on the latest astronomical findings. In engaging language, it tells how the Milky Way congealed from blobs of gas and dark matter into a spinning starry abode brimming with diverse planetary systems—some of which may be hosting myriad life forms and perhaps even other technologically communicative species. William Waller vividly describes the Milky Way as it appears in the night sky, acquainting readers with its key components and telling the history of our changing galactic perceptions. The ancients believed the Milky Way was a home for the gods. Today we know it is but one galaxy among billions of others in the observable universe. Within the Milky Way, ground-based and space-borne telescopes have revealed that our Solar System is not alone. Hundreds of other planetary systems share our tiny part of the vast Galaxy. We reside within a galactic ecosystem that is driven by the theatrics of the most massive stars as they blaze through their brilliant lives and dramatic deaths. Similarly effervescent ecosystems of hot young stars and fluorescing nebulae delineate the graceful spiral arms in our Galaxy's swirling disk. Beyond the disk, the spheroidal halo hosts the ponderous—and still mysterious—dark matter that outweighs everything else. Another dark mystery lurks deep in the heart of the Milky Way, where a supermassive black hole has produced bizarre phenomena seen at multiple wavelengths. Waller makes the case that our very existence is inextricably linked to the Galaxy that spawned us. Through this book, readers can become well-informed galactic "insiders"—ready to imagine humanity's next steps as fully engaged citizens of the Milky Way.