Astronomy and Cosmology: A Modern Course

by Fred Hoyle

Studies the scientific principles of the universe as well as the instruments used to observe it in a text that emphasizes the relationship of astronomy to physics.

Genres: Science, Textbooks, Physics, Astronomy

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Professor Sir Fred Hoyle was one of the most distinguished, creative, and controversial scientists of the twentieth century. He was a Fellow of St John’s College (1939-1972, Honorary Fellow 1973-2001), was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1957, held the Plumian Chair of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy (1958-1972), established the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy in Cambridge (now part of the Institute of Astronomy), and (in 1972) received a knighthood for his services to astronomy.

Hoyle was a keen mountain climber, an avid player of chess, a science fiction writer, a populariser of science, and the man who coined the phrase 'The Big Bang'.

Reviews

[Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt I needed a study in the basics for Astronomy and Cosmology and who better to teach me than the great Fred Hoyle. Still, some of his statements were rather interesting in an unsettling sort of way. For instance, on page 416 he said, "We now know the difference between a heliocentric theory and a geocentric theory is one of relative motion only, and that such a difference has no physical significance." So, then it is not wrong in an absolute sense to believe in geocentricity. He also admits that the belief that the earth is tucked away in some remote corner of the universe with no special position in the center is really a matter of belief based on intellectual grounds rather than observation of facts. (87). It seems that there is a bit of sleight of hand in theoretical science when it comes to denying what people believed for thousands of years. But, still, the book is outstanding in explaining modern principles of Astronomy and Cosmology.