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

by Mario Livio, Livio

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471399766
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	12/25/2000
Pages:	292
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

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.

Table of Contents

Prologue.

Beauty and the Beast.

Expansion.

The Case of the Missing Matter.

Flat Is Beautiful.

When Inflation Is Good.

Creation.

The Meaning of Life.

A Universe Custom Made for Us?

A Cosmological Aesthetic Principle?

Index.

What People are Saying About This

John Bahcall

John Bahcall, Institute for Advanced Study
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.

Alan Lightman

Alan Lightman, author of Einstein's Dreams
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.

Allan Sandage

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

Lee Smolin

Lee Smolin, author of The Life of the Cosmos
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.

Editorial Reviews

...Elegantly written and timely book. Offering extraordinarily clear explanations of all key concepts and theoretical ideas, Livio is a marvelous guide through this most exciting frontier in science today.

Science Book Board

The title of Mario Livio's book points directly to this new discovery about the Universe. He provides a detailed account of the facts that led to this extraordinary result, presenting them within the broader framework of modern cosmology, and explaining even complex concepts clearly.
— Nature Magazine

Francesco Bertola