The Accelerating Universe: Infinite Expansion, the Cosmological Constant, and the Beauty of the Cosmos - Softcover

Livio, Mario

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471399760 ISBN 13: 9780471399766

Publisher: Trade Paper Press, 2000

Synopsis

Advance Praise for The Accelerating Universe

"The Accelerating Universe is not only an informative book about modern cosmology. It is rich storytelling and, above all, a celebration of the human mind in its quest for beauty in all things."
―Alan Lightman, author of Einstein's Dreams

"This is a wonderfully lucid account of the extraordinary discoveries that have made the last years a golden period for observational cosmology. But Mario Livio has not only given the reader one clear explanation after another of what astronomers are up to, he has used them to construct a provocative argument for the importance of aesthetics in the development of science and for the inseparability of science, art, and culture."
―Lee Smolin, author of The Life of the Cosmos

"What a pleasure to read! An exciting, simple account of the universe revealed by modern astronomy. Beautifully written, clearly presented, informed by scientific and philosophical insights."
―John Bahcall, Institute for Advanced Study

"A book with charm, beauty, elegance, and importance. As authoritative a journey as can be taken through modern cosmology."
―Allan Sandage, Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington

About this title

About the Author

MARIO LIVIO, Ph.D., is head of the science division at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which conducts the scientific program of the Hubble Space Telescope. He is recognized as a world expert on topics ranging from dramatic explosions like novae, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts to compact astronomical objects like white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. He has published over 300 scientific papers and has lectured to the public about discoveries in astronomy and cosmology all across the globe.

From the Back Cover

A Brilliant Journey into the World of Beauty and Modern Cosmology

“Thought-provoking . . . engaging.”-New Scientist

“The Accelerating Universe is not only an informative book about cosmology. It is rich storytelling and, above all, a celebration of the human mind on its quest for beauty in all things.”-Alan Lightman, bestselling author of Einstein's Dreams

“Stimulating.”-Nature

“The reader will enter a 'garden of delights.'“-Physics World

“Far more than a puzzle for specialists, the struggle to reinterpret the cosmos raises fundamental questions about the human craving for order: Does this craving reflect deep cosmic harmonies that helped create our species? Or does it simply defy an irreducible chaos that we would rather not confront? Livio probes these questions with a daring sufficient to satisfy the hungriest curiosity.”-Booklist

In this entertaining and lively exploration of the universe, Hubble Space Telescope scientist Mario Livio introduces us to the “old cosmology,” which culminated in the view of a perfectly balanced universe, and then presents all of the fascinating ideas being explored by cosmologists in the “new cosmology,” which has been inspired by the discovery of acceleration. Providing extraordinarily clear explanations of all the key concepts and theoretical ideas, Livio is a marvelous guide through this most exciting frontier in science today.

Edition details

• Publisher: Trade Paper Press
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471399760
• ISBN 13: 9780471399766
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 292