Cosmic Coincidences - Couverture souple

Gribbin, John; Rees, Martin J.

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 055299443X ISBN 13 : 9780552994439

Editeur : Black Swan, 1991

Synopsis

What happened "in the beginning", 15 billion years ago? Is the universe only one of its kind or are there others? Is it just a coincidence that life evolved on Earth? This book explores the chain of cosmic events that led to intelligent life on Earth. Scientists cannot explain the distribution of galaxies, and the voids between them, without concluding that at least 90% of the universe consists of so-called "dark matter". The authors here aim to provide a readable account of the leading theories and latest advances in understanding the nature of dark matter, the controlling force in the dynamics structure and the eventual fate of the universe. John Gribbin's previous books include "The Hole in the Sky" and "Hothouse Earth".

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

WAS THE UNIVERSE MADE FOR MAN? Is our universe the only one of its kind or are there others? Is it just a coincidence that life evolved on Earth or are the remarkable and unusual set of circumstances that brought about the emergence of humankind part of some deeper mystery that reveals an as yet unknown cosmic purpose? A PROVOCATIVE SEARCH THROUGH SPACE AND TIME FOR A COSMIC BLUEPRINT—AND THE SOURCE OF LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE In this intriguing exploration of our relationship with the universe, eminent physicist Martin Rees and acclaimed science writer John Gribbin search for the grand design of the universe—and the meaning of the so-called coincidences that allow life to exist on our planet. Rees and Gribbin present the advances in understanding the nature of dark matter (which controls the dynamics, structure, and eventual fate of the universe), explore mini and massive black holes, brown dwarfs, and novel forms of matter such as quark nuggets. Along the way they fascinate us with what scientists have already discovered about cosmic strings, superstrings, and the elusive TOE (theory of everything). They also speculate on the possibility of the existence of other universes and of other intelligent life in our own. An expert, exhilarating tour of cosmic evolution and human destiny. Cosmic Coincidences' investigation sheds new light on the monumental questions of why our universe is the way it is and why we are here. JOHN GRIBBIN, science writer and cosmologist, is the author of many books, including In Search of Schrödinger's Cat, In Search of the Big Bang, In Search of the Double Helix, and The Omega Point. MARTIN REES is a professor of astronomy and a colleague of Stephen Hawking's at Cambridge University. He is one of the world's leading theorists in the field of astrophysics. "A brilliant and highly readable tour through the Universe.... This is an authoritative and challenging book. It will spark hot debate among scientists and grasp the reader from start to finish" —F. David Peat, Ph.D., author of Synchronicity "A lucid and exciting guide... An evenhanded appraisal of the controversial 'anthropic principle.'" — Nick Herbert, author of Quantum Reality

Biographie de l'auteur

Dr. John Gribbin, science writer and cosmologist, is the author of many nonfiction books, including In Search of the Big Bang, In Search of the Double Helix, the best-selling In Search of Schrödinger's Cat, and The Omega Point, which was nominated for Britain's top science book award in 1988. His first solo science fiction novel, Father to the Man, has recently been published in the U.S. A frequent guest on science programs on BBC Radio, Gribbin holds a doctorate in astrophysics from Cambridge University and lives in East Sussex, England. While still a graduate student, Dr. Martin Rees predicted that structures inside quasars (then newly discovered) would appear to move much faster than light. This was confirmed several years later, and he has continued to be on the forefront in the study of cosmology, galaxies, black holes, and space science. Elected Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at Cambridge when he was only 30, Rees continues to be interested in the broader philosophical implications of his research and in conveying the fascination of the latest scientific ideas to a wide public. He has written numerous general articles, appeared frequently on radio and television, and given many public lectures, especially in the United States. Rees lives with his wife, a social anthropologist, in an old farmhouse near Cambridge. More books from John Gribbin are available at: http://ReAnimus.com/authors/johngribbin

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Black Swan
• Date d'édition: 1991
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 055299443X
• ISBN 13: 9780552994439
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 320
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible