By Harry Nussbaumer Discovering the Expanding Universe (1st First Edition) [Hardcover]

by Harry Nussbaumer

The discovery of the expanding universe is one of the most exciting exploits in astronomy. This book explores its history, from the beginnings of modern cosmology with Einstein in 1917, through Lemaître’s discovery of the expanding universe in 1927 and his suggestion of a Big Bang origin, to Hubble’s contribution of 1929 and the subsequent years when Hubble and Humason provided the essential observations for further developing modern cosmology, and finally to Einstein’s conversion to the expanding universe in 1931. As a prelude the book traces the evolution of some of the notions of modern cosmology from the late Middle Ages up to the final acceptance of the concept of galaxies in 1925. Written in non-technical language, with a mathematical appendix, the book will appeal to scientists, students, and anyone interested in the history of astronomy and cosmology.

Genres: Astronomy, Science, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I could not understand much of the detail, the overall progress of the conversation was clear, from the beginnings of modern cosmology with Einstein in 1917 through the suggestion of a Big Bang origin.

It is astonishing to think about the incredible universe that we think is out there and our tiny place in it. Here's a thought: Much of what scientists now think they know is a combination of limited esoteric observations and huge dollops of theory, much of which will likely, someday soon, be proven as untrue as the theories prevalent in the 19th century and before are now viewed.

So what do we really know?

NOTE: I'm reading this in preparation for a course in Cosmology at Oxford this summer.