Cosmology’s Century: An Inside History of Our Modern Understanding of the Universe

P. J. E. Peebles

Published by Princeton University Press 2020

Cosmology’s Century

An Inside History of Our Modern Understanding of the Universe

P. J. E. Peebles

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691201665

Overview
Contents

About this book

From Nobel Prize–winning physicist P. J. E. Peebles, the story of cosmology from Einstein to today

Modern cosmology began a century ago with Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity and his notion of a homogenous, philosophically satisfying cosmos. Cosmology's Century is the story of how generations of scientists built on these thoughts and many new measurements to arrive at a well-tested physical theory of the structure and evolution of our expanding universe.

In this landmark book, one of the world's most esteemed theoretical cosmologists offers an unparalleled personal perspective on how the field developed. P. J. E. Peebles was at the forefront of many of the greatest discoveries of the past century, making fundamental contributions to our understanding of the presence of helium and microwave radiation from the hot big bang, the measures of the distribution and motion of ordinary matter, and the new kind of dark matter that allows us to make sense of these results. Taking readers from the field's beginnings, Peebles describes how scientists working in independent directions found themselves converging on a theory of cosmic evolution interesting enough to warrant the rigorous testing it passes so well. He explores the major advances—some inspired by remarkable insights or perhaps just lucky guesses—as well as the wrong turns taken and the roads not explored. He shares recollections from major players in this story and provides a rare, inside look at how natural science is really done.

A monumental work, Cosmology's Century also emphasizes where the present theory is incomplete, suggesting exciting directions for continuing research.

Author information

P. J. E. Peebles is a Nobel Prize–winning physicist and the author of Principles of Physical Cosmology, Quantum Mechanics, and Physical Cosmology (all Princeton). He is the Albert Einstein Professor of Science Emeritus in the Department of Physics at Princeton University.

Reviews

"James Peebles, Co-Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics"

"Peebles offers a broad and deep description of cosmology, presenting the history of the field as well as many of the side turns, dead ends, and wrong paths that researchers explored along the way. I really enjoyed reading this book."—David W. Hogg, New York University

"An inspiring history of cosmic ideas."—Joseph Silk, author of The Infinite Cosmos: Questions from the Frontiers of Cosmology

"Peebles oﬀers a remarkable account of how, over the course of a century, researchers in several disparate areas of physics, astronomy, and cosmology pursued questions about the nature and evolution of the universe. Cosmology's Century is a welcome and valuable tour of a fascinating intellectual adventure."—David Kaiser, author of How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Preface and Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
CHAPTER 1. Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
CHAPTER 2. The Homogeneous Universe Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	12
CHAPTER 3. Cosmological Models Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	36
CHAPTER 4. Fossils:Microwave Radiation and Light Elements Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	114
CHAPTER 5. How Cosmic Structure Grew Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	184
CHAPTER 6. Subluminal Mass Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	239
CHAPTER 7. Nonbaryonic Dark Matter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	279
CHAPTER 8. The Age of Abundance of Cosmological Models Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	300
CHAPTER 9. The 1998–2003 Revolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	323
CHAPTER 10. The Ways of Research Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	343
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	355
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	399
A NOTE ON THE TYPE Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	405