Introduction to Cosmology: Barbara Ryden

Introduction To Cosmology Provides A Rare Combination Of A Solid Foundation Of The Core Physical Concepts Of Cosmology And The Most Recent Astronomical Observations. The Book Is Designed For Advanced Undergraduates Or Beginning Graduate Students And Assumes No Prior Knowledge Of General Relativity. An Emphasis Is Placed On Developing The Readers' Physical Insight Rather Than Losing Them With Complex Math. An Approachable Writing Style And Wealth Of Fresh And Imaginative Analogies From Everyday Physics Are Used To Make The Concepts Of Cosmology More Accessible. The Book Is Unique In That It Not Only Includes Recent Major Developments In Cosmology, Like The Cosmological Constant And Accelerating Universe, But Also Anticipates Key Developments Expected In The Next Few Years, Such As Detailed Results On The Cosmic Microwave Background. For Anyone Interested In Cosmology Or Astronomy. Introduction -- Fundamental Observations -- Newton Versus Einstein -- Cosmic Dynamics -- Single-component Universes -- Multiple-component Universes -- Measuring Cosmological Parameters -- Dark Matter -- The Cosmic Microwave Background -- Nucleosynthesis And The Early Universe -- Inflation And The Very Early Universe -- The Formation Of Structure. Barbara Ryden. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [235]-237) And Index. "The second edition of Introduction to Cosmology is an exciting update of this award-winning textbook. It is aimed primarily at advanced undergraduate students in physics and astronomy, but is also useful as a supplementary text at higher levels. It explains modern cosmological concepts, such as dark energy, in the context of the Big Bang theory. Its clear, lucid writing style, with a wealth of useful everyday analogies, makes it exceptionally engaging. Emphasis is placed on the links between theoretical concepts of cosmology and the observable properties of the universe, building deeper physical insights in the reader. The second edition includes recent observational results, fuller descriptions of special and general relativity, expanded discussions of dark energy, and a new chapter on baryonic matter that makes up stars and galaxies. It is an ideal textbook for the era of precision cosmology in the accelerating universe"-- This volume provides a combination of a solid foundation of the core physical concepts of cosmology and contemporary astronomical observations. The text is designed for advanced undergraduates or beginning graduate students and assumes no prior knowledge of general relativity.