Light from the Depths of Time

by Rudolf Kippenhahn

Although this book has been available for some time, it is only now appearing in an English edition. This gives me the opportunity of adding a few explanations. I have not struggled to include the very latest, tentative results. I have, instead, concentrated on presenting cosmological ideas to interested non­ experts. They often encounter considerable difficulties when attempts are made to explain even long-established results in this field, so the aim of this book is to provide them with help. Naturally, I have also tried to include modern findings. To help with the explanation I have made use of the fictitious inhabi­ tants of Flatland, occasional historical digressions, and the dreams of Herr Meyer. Incidentally, I chose this name, which is very common in German­ speaking countries, to suggest an average citizen, just like the man next door. I should like to thank Springer-Verlag for deciding to publish this book in the language in which many of the discoveries described here were first formulated. I also thank my translator, Mr Storm Dunlop. Finally I thank Hanna Tettenborn for compiling the index.

262 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1986

Reviews

[Remo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Los cosmólogos se equivocan a menudo, pero nunca los tortura la duda.
Yakov B. Zeldovich

Así empieza este libro de Cosmología, que comienza estudiando algo "pequeño" (la Vía Láctea, 100.000.000.000 de estrellas a ojo) para ir ampliando foco y acabar hablándonos de Cosmología, de lo que sabemos, de lo que creemos saber y de cómo averiguar qué nos falta por saber. Un mapa a partes iguales del Universo y de nuestra ignorancia.
El autor no es el más ameno del mundo escribiendo, en honor a la verdad, pero lo que escribía me gustaba tanto que no hizo que el libro me gustara menos. Recomendable en su día, hoy seguro que hay más opciones.