An Introduction to Modern Cosmology

by Andrew Liddle

An Introduction to Modern Cosmology Third Edition is an accessible account of modern cosmological ideas. The Big Bang Cosmology is explored, looking at its observational successes in explaining the expansion of the Universe, the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, and the origin of light elements in the universe. Properties of the very early Universe are also covered, including the motivation for a rapid period of expansion known as cosmological inflation. The third edition brings this established undergraduate textbook up-to-date with the rapidly evolving observational situation.

This fully revised edition of a bestseller takes an approach which is grounded in physics with a logical flow of chapters leading the reader from basic ideas of the expansion described by the Friedman equations to some of the more advanced ideas about the early universe. It also incorporates up-to-date results from the Planck mission, which imaged the anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation over the whole sky. The Advanced Topic sections present subjects with more detailed mathematical approaches to give greater depth to discussions. Student problems with hints for solving them and numerical answers are embedded in the chapters to facilitate the reader’s understanding and learning.

Cosmology is now part of the core in many degree programs. This current, clear and concise introductory text is relevant to a wide range of astronomy programs worldwide and is essential reading for undergraduates and Masters students, as well as anyone starting research in cosmology.

Genres: Physics, Science, Astronomy, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Reference, Unfinished

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Eppursimuov3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those interested in delving deeper into the science of cosmology, Andrew Liddle’s An Introduction to Modern Cosmology helps to bridge the gap between popular science and graduate level reference books. He arrives at the famous Friedmann equation through Newtonian physics rather than the standard relativistic approach (we still end up with the same equation). Through the solutions of this equation, Liddle explores subjects such as the curvature of space, the cosmological constant, the density parameter, the age of the Universe, nucleosynthesis, and inflationary big bang models. Due to the author’s use of mathematical equations to explain these concepts, readers are expected to be familiar with very basic undergraduate level mathematics and physics.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great undergrad cosmology book. The sections are short and sweet, while still explaining the difficult concepts in a way that makes sense.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a useful book introductory astrophysics. Some physics knowledge is needed to make the content usable, but if it is being assigned for a college class, it works well. It is a little dry, but better than most textbooks.

[Mark Yashar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to cosmology at the undergrad level. Read it from cover to cover. It was a good review/refresher in preparation from my oral qualifying exam at UCD.

[Sara Khorram · Rating 4 out of 5]

!مختصر، مفید

[MrCalvosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buena introducción a la cosmología y los inicios y estructuras del universo, aunque es necesario saber bastante de matemática para poder comprender las formulas que incluye

[Диана · Rating 4 out of 5]

Чувството да изядеш учебник с кориците..мм..:)))

[Xander · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very clear and concise overview of the most important and recent (2015) components that make up modern cosmology.

I'm a layperson with some mathemical background - but not up to the point of being able to fully comprehend general relativity and quantum mechanics in all their complexities. Therefore I really liked Liddle's approach of using basic geometry and algebra - and taking Newton's path to arrive at the Friedmann equation. This makes it accessible to interested laypeople.

Liddle divides his book in two parts: the core of cosmology (15 chapters) and some more advanced topics (5 chapters). These advanced topics contain new topics but some chapters also deal with the earlier topics in a more in-depth. It is easy to underestimate the contents of this book: with only 160 or so pages, one gets the feeling that this is going to be an easy ride. Nothing can be further from the truth: the small size of this book has everything to owe to Liddles qualities as a teacher.

A minor nuisance was the extreme dryness of the material; Liddle presents everything in the most straightforward way and there's absolutely no time and place for deviations. Cosmology is a topic that has major implications for ones worldview, and I missed it from time to time. Nevertheless, this isn't a book on philosophy or history, so I shouldn't hold it against Liddle.

Parallel to reading this book, I read Conceptions of Cosmos (2006) of Helge Kragh, which treats the same topic in a more historical and philosophical perspective. The combination of both books gives you an excellent insight into modern cosmology and its implications for a scientific worldview.