An astronomer brings the mysteries of space down to earth in this accessible guide to cosmology, astrophysics, and the ageless wonder of the night sky. The universe is big. Really big. And it gets bigger every day. In Cosmological Enigmas, Mark Kidger weaves together history, science, and science fiction to consider questions about the bigness of space and the strange objects that lie trembling at the edge of infinity. What are quasars, blazars, and gamma-ray bursters? Could we ever travel to the stars? Can we really expect aliens to contact us? From the profound (what evidence do we have to support the big bang theory?) to the bizarre (can there be more than one universe and, if so, how many dimensions does it possess?) to the everyday-yet-profound (why is the sky dark at night?), Kidger explains not only what we know about the universe but how we came to know it. Reflecting on how stars shine and what may lie beyond the edge of the universe, Kidger takes us on the ultimate cosmic journey.

Embark on an extraordinary voyage through the vast expanse of the universe with "Unraveling the Enigmas Beyond Our Reach." This captivating eBook takes you on a thrilling journey from the familiar realms of stargazing to the enigmatic possibilities of the cosmos, inviting you to unlock the deepest secrets scattered across the fabric of space and time. Start your exploration by delving into the cosmic mysteries that have captivated humanity's imagination for millennia. Discover how modern stargazing tools, like telescopes and spectroscopy, serve as portals to the universe, allowing us to glimpse the wonders beyond our reach. Navigate the intricate structure of the Milky Way, uncovering the enigma of galactic anatomy and the hidden mysteries of its core and halo. Witness the spectacular birth and death of stars, where nebulae act as cradles of creation and supernovae illuminate the cycle of cosmic life and death. Venture into the shadowy realm of dark matter and dark energy, tapping into the forces that shape our universe and pondering their implications for the ultimate fate of all cosmic bodies. Explore the exotic objects lurking within our galaxy, from powerful magnetars to ancient quasars and densely packed neutron stars. Investigate the burgeoning field of exoplanetary science, seeking Earth-like worlds and considering the tantalizing possibility of life beyond our solar system. Peer into theoretical dimensions with wormholes and faster-than-light travel, challenging the boundaries of our understanding. Grapple with the bizarre and fascinating quantum mysteries that may hold the key to the universe’s origins. With each page, "Unraveling the Enigmas Beyond Our Reach" inspires a sense of wonder and curiosity, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the cosmos. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a curious novice, this eBook offers a compelling exploration of the universe's most profound mysteries, igniting your own journey of discovery into the great unknown.

Author Mark Kidger weaves together history, science, and science fiction to consider questions about the bigness of space and the strange objects that lie trembling at the edge of infinity. Reflecting on how stars shine and what may lie beyond the edge of the universe, Kidger takes readers on the ultimate cosmic journey.Johns Hopkins University Press

Cosmology is the study of the origin, size, and evolution of the entire universe. Every culture has developed a cosmology, whether it be based on religious, philosophical, or scientific principles. In this book, the evolution of the scientific understanding of the Universe in Western tradition is traced from the early Greek philosophers to the most modern 21st century view. After a brief introduction to the concept of the scientific method, the first part of the book describes the way in which detailed observations of the Universe, first with the naked eye and later with increasingly complex modern instruments, ultimately led to the development of the "Big Bang" theory. The second part of the book traces the evolution of the Big Bang including the very recent observation that the expansion of the Universe is itself accelerating with time.

Contributors include: Christopher Southgate John Hedley Brooke Celia Deane-Drummond Paul D. Murray Michael Robert Negus Lawrence Osborn Michael Poole Jacqui Stewart Fraser Watts David Wilkinson This fully revised and updated edition of God, Humanity and the Cosmos includes new chapters by John Hedley Brooke, Paul D. Murray and David Wilkinson. In addition to a systematic exploration of contemporary perspectives in physics, evolutionary biology and psychology as they relate to theological descriptions of the universe, humanity and consciousness, the book now provides a thorough survey of the theological, philosophical and historical issues underpinning the science-religion debate. Contributors also examine such issues as theological responses to the ecological crisis and to biotechnology; how science is treated and valued in education; and the relation of science to Islamic thought. Dr Christopher Southgate is Lecturer in Theology at the University of Exeter.'

A systematic exploration of contemporary perspectives in physics, evolutionary biology and psychology as they relate to theological descriptions of the universe, humanity and consciousness. Contributors examine such issues as theological responses to the ecological crisis; how science is treated and valued in education; and the development of the science and religion debate in the 21st century. This is a comprehensive textbook for the student, with periodic exercises to test understanding and encourage discussion of the different topics, and suggestions for further reading.

Author Mark Kidger weaves together history, science, and science fiction to consider questions about the bigness of space and the strange objects that lie trembling at the edge of infinity. Reflecting on how stars shine and what may lie beyond the edge of the universe, Kidger takes readers on the ultimate cosmic journey.Johns Hopkins University Press

An up-to-date presentation of the progress and current problems in the early universe, cosmic microwave background radiation, large scale structure formation, and the interplay between them. The emphasis is on the mutual impact of fundamental physics and cosmology, both at theoretical and experimental (observational) levels within a deep, well- focused and well-defined programme. The nature of the domain itself leads to different aspects, approaches and points of view on the same topic. Special care has been taken to provide the reader the basis of the different, sometimes competing lines of research. All contributions are uniformly excellent, with a careful selection of the subjects and approaches covered, presenting a unifying and rigorous view of the field. Audience: experimentalists and theoreticians from a variety of backgrounds: physics, astrophysics and astronomy. An excellent reference for post-doctoral scientists. Useful for senior scientists and advanced graduate students.

This volume contains five mini-courses: Nakedly Singular Solutions of Einstein's Equations (K Lake); Clifford Algebras, Relativity and Quantum Mechanics (P Lounesto); Numerical Relativity and Dynamical Evolution of Black Hole Spacetimes (R Matzner); Soliton and Vacua in Relativity Theory Revisited (G W Gibbons); Cosmic Strings and Their Observational Consequences (E P S Shellard); and seventy-seven research papers by Latin American scientists.

Astronomer Kidger has spent his career helping the general public understand the nature of the universe and astronomy. In "Astronomical Enigmas," he offers answers to the questions he is asked most frequently.