Synopses & Reviews
Review
"A short, understandable account of our changing view of the universe and of the scientists who are behind that change...Lightman has done a good job of telling the story of an exciting science."
--William Kolata, New York Times Book Review"Alan Lightman seeks to mediate between the worlds of modern cosmology and ordinary perception outside its strange precincts--explaining its major theories in simplified terms, introducing its cast...One senses in Ancient Light Alan Lightman's respect for the tiny wondering human mind, whatever its ability to grasp the conundrums of modern cosmology."
--David Mehegan, Boston Sunday Globe"Lyrical...With its reliance on plain English, metaphor, and creative analogy, Ancient Light brings cosmic abstractions down to Earth with nary a jolt. This little book is a must-read for anyone whose gaze extends beyond his or her own world into the one we--and our ancestors--share."
--Thea Singer, Boston Phoenix Literary Section"A charming, lucid, and accessible book that is the epitome of good popular science. I have read no finer introduction to cosmology."
--David Hughes, New ScientistReview
Alan Lightman seeks to mediate between the worlds of modern cosmology and ordinary perception outside its strange precincts--explaining its major theories in simplified terms, introducing its cast...One senses in Ancient Light Alan Lightman's respect for the tiny wondering human mind, whatever its ability to grasp the conundrums of modern cosmology. New York Times Book Review
Review
A short, understandable account of our changing view of the universe and of the scientists who are behind that change...Lightman has done a good job of telling the story of an exciting science. William Kolata
Review
Lyrical...With its reliance on plain English, metaphor, and creative analogy, Ancient Light brings cosmic abstractions down to Earth with nary a jolt. This little book is a must-read for anyone whose gaze extends beyond his or her own world into the one we--and our ancestors--share. David Mehegan - Boston Sunday Globe
Review
A charming, lucid, and accessible book that is the epitome of good popular science. I have read no finer introduction to cosmology. Thea Singer - Boston Phoenix Literary Section
Synopsis
In the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and lucid exploration of cosmology available today, MIT astrophysicist and science writer Alan Lightman takes the reader on a grand tour of the universe. In this slim volume he explores the history of cosmology, the theories and the evidence, the new discoveries, the outstanding questions, and the controversies.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-138) and index.
About the Author
Alan Lightmanis Professor of Science and Writing and Senior Lecturer in Physics at the <>Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also a Research Scientist at the <>Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
Table of Contents
Cosmic Questions
Early Cosmologies
The Birth of Modern Cosmology
The Big Bang Model
Other Cosmological Models
Difficulties with the Big Bang Model
Large-Scale Structure and Dark Matter
Instruments and Technology
Initial Conditions and Quantum Cosmology
Particle Physics, the New Cosmology, and the Inflationary Universe Model
The Anthropic Principle
At Home
Notes
Glossary
Acknowledgments
Illustration Credits
Index