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"We go about our daily lives
understanding almost nothing of the world. We give little thought to
the machinery that generates the sunlight that makes life possible,
to the gravity that glues us to an Earth that would otherwise send
us spinning off into space, or to the atoms of which we are made and
on whose stability we fundamentally depend. Except for children (who
don't know enough not to ask the important questions), few of us
spend much time wondering why nature is the way it is;
where the
cosmos came from, or whether it was always here; if time will one
day flow backward and effects precede causes; or whether there are
ultimate limits to what humans can know."
Carl Sagan
From an introduction to "A Brief History of Time"
by Stephen Hawking
Introduction
Big Bang Theory, currently accepted explanation of the beginning
of the universe. The big bang theory proposes that the universe was
once extremely compact, dense, and hot. Some original event, a
cosmic explosion called the big bang, occurred about 10 billion to
20 billion years ago, and the universe has since been expanding and
cooling.
The theory is based on the mathematical equations, known as the
field equations, of the general theory of relativity set forth in
1915 by Albert Einstein.
In 1922 Russian physicist Alexander Friedmann provided a set of
solutions to the field equations. These solutions have served as the
framework for much of the current theoretical work on the big bang
theory. American astronomer Edwin Hubble provided some of the
greatest supporting evidence for the theory with his 1929 discovery
that the light of distant galaxies was universally shifted toward
the red end of the spectrum. This proved that the
galaxies were moving away from each other. He found that galaxies
farther away were moving away faster, showing that the universe is
expanding uniformly. However, the universe's initial state was still
unknown.
In the 1940s Russian American physicist George Gamow worked out a
theory that fit with Friedmann's solutions in which the universe
expanded from a hot, dense state. In 1950 British astronomer Fred
Hoyle, in support of his own opposing steady-state theory, referred
to Gamow's theory as a mere "big bang," but the name
stuck. Indeed, a contest in the 1990s by Sky & Telescope
magazine to find a better (perhaps more dignified) name did not
produce one.
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http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_uni.html
Cosmology: The Study of the Universe
Creation
of a Cosmology - Big Bang Theory
Research paper covers the origins of the universe and life, with a
description of the big bang theory.
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NASA
Introduction to Cosmology
Covers the basic concepts of cosmology, including the big bang, and
details the objectives of NASA's Microwave Anisotropy Probe.
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Cosmic
Mystery Tour
Study a timeline that chronicles the age of the universe, and view
video clips and images that explain how the universe was formed.
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The Big Bang
MSN Encarta.com
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In
the Beginning
Describes the Big Bang theory as it is generally agreed upon by
scientists. View a QuickTime film on the separation of forces.
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Kabbalistic
Cosmology
Adam McLean points out the parallels of the hermetic Hebrew view of
Isaac Luria to that of the big bang theory of modern physics.
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Cosmic
Microwave Background Radiation
Find an overview of the cosmic microwave background, which provides
evidence for the Big Bang Theory.
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Univ.
of Cambridge - Cosmology
Presents an illustrated guide to the cosmos, the big bang theory, and
cosmic background radiation.
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New
Cosmology for the 21st Century
Introduction to modern cosmology and a description of what it
entails, such as the theory of relativity and the big bang theory.
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The
Origin of the Universe
Read one scientist's intriguing look at how the big bang theory of
creation relates to modern religion. Discusses recent scientific
research.
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Evolution
Through the Dimensions of Time and Space
Get a description of this book's theory of universal creation, which
combines the big bang theory with the idea of several dimensions in
space.
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Metaparticles.com
How Physical Particles Come Into Existence from a Dynamic, Creative
Substratum Of the Universe
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Gravity - an internal link
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The
Infant Universe, in Detail
New data from a NASA probe located a million miles from Earth has
provided scientists with the information necessary to paint the most
precise picture yet of the early universe. The long-awaited images
support theories that posit that the universe underwent a tremendous
growth spurt shortly after the big bang. Moreover, they pinpoint the age
of the universe at 13.7 billion years old--give or take 200 million
years, a mere 1 percent margin of error. Direct
link to the same article.
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The Big Puzzles of the Universe by E.
Savov
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Made of Atomic Size Stars in a Clumpy Firework
Universe by E. Savov
Subject Related Materials
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Hyperspace:
A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps
and the Tenth Dimension
by Michio Kaku
A vivid portrait of the theory of
hyperspace by a professor of theoretical physics at the City
University of New York discusses the superstring theory and
the concept of a jigsaw-puzzle universe.
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How
many dimensions do you live in? Three? Maybe that's all your
commonsense sense perception perceives, but there is growing
and compelling evidence to suggest that we actually live in
a universe of ten real dimensions. Kaku has written an
extraordinarily lucid and thought-provoking exploration of
the theoretical and empirical bases of a ten-dimensional
universe and even goes so far as to discuss possible
practical implications--such as being able to escape the
collapse of the universe. Yikes. Highly Recommended.
Book Description
Are there other dimensions beyond our own? Is time travel
possible? Can we change the past? Are there gateways to
parallel universes? All of us have pondered such questions,
but there was a time when scientists dismissed these notions
as outlandish speculations. Not any more. Today, they are
the focus of the most intense scientific activity in recent
memory. In Hyperspace, Michio Kaku, author of the widely
acclaimed Beyond Einstein and a leading theoretical
physicist, offers the first book-length tour of the most
exciting (and perhaps most bizarre) work in modern physics,
work which includes research on the tenth dimension, time
warps, black holes, and multiple universes.
Kaku (Physics/CCNY) is the author (with Jennifer Trainer)
of Beyond Einstein (1987) and of several popular volumes on
advanced physics. He is also the host of a weekly radio
program on modern science. Here, he offers a popular
explanation of how the mathematics of higher dimensions
underlies modern physical theories, notably the superstring
hypothesis of how the universe is put together. The great
problem confronting physics has been the building of a
bridge between relativity and quantum theory: a single
theory reconciling the two extremes of the very large and
the very small. Relativity is proven beyond doubt on the
scale of planets and galaxies; quantum theory applies to the
microcosmic world of subatomic particles. Ever since
Einstein, physicists have been trying, and failing, to
combine the two into a GUT (Grand Unified Theory). Although
it remains controversial among physicists and cosmologists,
Kaku proffers superstring theory as the best approximation
yet--but it requires acceptance of a counter-intuitive
system in which our sensory world, hosting three dimensions
of space and one of time, is only a small part of a universe
containing ten dimensions (six of them undetectable by our
limited senses). Higher dimensions, aka hyperspace, seem to
some physicists the most consistent description of the
universe we actually inhabit, and to others just one more
futile attempt to unify relativity and quantum theory. Kaku
admits the futility of visualizing a ten-dimensional
universe with our three-dimensional mindset; in fact, he
admits that the mathematics of superstring theory are so
difficult that many of the key equations remain unsolved.
But he effectively marshals examples from everyday
experience and the labors of working scientists to
illuminate current theories of how the universe really works
(to the extent that anyone can understand it without working
the equations), offering intelligent speculations on how
time travel and faster-than-light travel might be possible.
Kaku's explanations of the principles of superstring theory
are lucid, lively, and full of entertaining glimpses of the
researchers involved. A worthy successor to the popular
physics texts of George Gamow, as thought-provoking as
Stephen Hawking.
The theory of hyperspace (or higher dimensional
space)--and its newest wrinkle, superstring theory--stand at
the center of this revolution, with adherents in every major
research laboratory in the world, including several Nobel
laureates. Beginning where Hawking's Brief History of Time
left off, Kaku paints a vivid portrayal of the breakthroughs
now rocking the physics establishment. Why all the
excitement? As the author points out, for over half a
century, scientists have puzzled over why the basic forces
of the cosmos--gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and
weak nuclear forces--require markedly different mathematical
descriptions. But if we see these forces as vibrations in a
higher dimensional space, their field equations suddenly fit
together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, perfectly snug, in
an elegant, astonishingly simple form. This may thus be our
leading candidate for the Theory of Everything. If so, it
would be the crowning achievement of 2,000 years of
scientific investigation into matter and its forces.
Already, the theory has inspired several thousand research
papers, and has been the focus of over 200 international
conferences.
Michio Kaku is one of the leading pioneers in superstring
theory and has been at the forefront of this revolution in
modern physics. With Hyperspace, he has produced a book for
general readers which conveys the vitality of the field and
the excitement as scientists grapple with the meaning of
space and time. It is an exhilarating look at physics today
and an eye-opening glimpse into the ultimate nature of the
universe.
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Cosmos
Boxed Set (Collector's Edition)
with Carl Sagan
Run Time: 13 hours
Release Date: December 12, 2000 Available on
VHS and DVD
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When Cosmos was first broadcast in
1980, our world--and the context of Carl Sagan's eloquent
"personal journey"--was a different place. The
late Dr. Sagan would be pleased to witness the cooling of
the cold war, the continued exploration of space, and
ongoing efforts to curb our destructive dependence on fossil
fuels. For Sagan's series is far more than a guided tour
through "billions and billions" of stars and
galaxies. It remains a profound plea for the unity of
humankind, for the recognition that "we are a way for
the universe to know itself," with an obligation to
know our origin, our place in the universe, and our future
potential.
In the course of 13 fascinating
hours, Cosmos spans its own galaxy of topics to serve
Sagan's theme, each segment deepening our understanding of
how we got from there (simple microbes in the primordial
mud) to here (space-faring civilization in the 21st
century). In his "ship of the imagination," Sagan
guides us to the farthest reaches of space and takes us back
into the history of scientific inquiry, from the ancient
library of Alexandria to the NASA probes of our neighboring
planets. Upon this vast canvas Sagan presents the
"cosmic calendar," placing the 15-billion-year
history of the universe into an accessible one-year
framework, then filling it with a stunning chronology of
events, both interstellar and earthbound.
From the lives of the stars, to
creation theories, functions of the human brain, and the
ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, Cosmos
asks big questions. When appropriate, Sagan offers big
answers, or asks still bigger--and yes, even
spiritual--questions at the boundaries of science and
religion. What's most remarkable about Cosmos is that it
remains almost entirely fresh, with few updates needed to
the science that Sagan so passionately celebrates. It is no
exaggeration to say that Cosmos--for all the debate it may
continue to provoke--is a vital document for humanity at a
pivotal crossroads of our history.
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A
Brief History of Time
By Stephen Hawking
Also available
The Illustrated Brief History of Time, Updated and Expanded
Edition
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The
Universe in a Nutshell
by Stephen Hawking
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Stephen Hawking’s phenomenal,
multimillion-copy bestseller, A
Brief History of Time, introduced the ideas of this
brilliant theoretical physicist to readers all over the
world.
Now, in a major publishing event, Hawking
returns with a lavishly illustrated sequel that unravels the
mysteries of the major breakthroughs that have occurred in
the years since the release of his acclaimed first book.
The Universe in a Nutshell
• Quantum mechanics
• M-theory
• General relativity
• 11-dimensional supergravity
• 10-dimensional membranes
• Superstrings
• P-branes
• Black holes
One of the most influential thinkers of our
time, Stephen Hawking is an intellectual icon, known not
only for the adventurousness of his ideas but for the
clarity and wit with which he expresses them. In this new
book Hawking takes us to the cutting edge of theoretical
physics, where truth is often stranger than fiction, to
explain in laymen’s terms the principles that control our
universe.
Like many in the community of theoretical
physicists, Professor Hawking is seeking to uncover the
grail of science — the elusive Theory of Everything that
lies at the heart of the cosmos. In his accessible and often
playful style, he guides us on his search to uncover the
secrets of the universe — from supergravity to
supersymmetry, from quantum theory to M-theory, from
holography to duality.
He takes us to the wild frontiers of science,
where superstring theory and p-branes may hold the final
clue to the puzzle. And he lets us behind the scenes of one
of his most exciting intellectual adventures as he seeks “to
combine Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and
Richard Feynman’s idea of multiple histories into one
complete unified theory that will describe everything that
happens in the universe.”
With characteristic exuberance, Professor
Hawking invites us to be fellow travelers on this
extraordinary voyage through space-time. Copious four-color
illustrations help clarify this journey into a surreal
wonderland where particles, sheets, and strings move in
eleven dimensions; where black holes evaporate and
disappear, taking their secret with them; and where the
original cosmic seed from which our own universe sprang was
a tiny nut.
The Universe in a Nutshell is essential reading
for all of us who want to understand the universe in which
we live. Like its companion volume, A Brief History of Time,
it conveys the excitement felt within the scientific
community as the secrets of the cosmos reveal themselves.
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The Big Bang: The
Third Edition
by Joseph Silk |
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Book Description
Our universe was born billions of years ago in a hot,
violent explosion of elementary particles and radiation--the
big bang. What do we know about this ultimate moment of
creation, and how do we know it?
Drawing upon the latest theories and technology, The Big
Bang, Third Edition, is a sweeping, lucid account of the
event that set the universe in motion. Award-winning
astronomer and physicist Joseph Silk begins his story with
the first microseconds of the big bang, on through the
evolution of planets, stars, and galaxies, and into the
distant future of our universe. He also explores the
fascinating evidence for the big bang model and recounts the
history of cosmological speculation. Revised and updated,
the third edition features all the most recent astronomical
advances, including:
* Photos and measurements from the Hubble Space
Telescope, Cosmic Background Explorer Satellite, and
Infrared Space Observatory
* Modern estimates of the age of the universe
* New ideas in string theory and superstring theory
* Recent experiments on neutrino detection
* New theories about the presence of dark matter in galaxies
* New developments of star formation and the evolution of
galaxies
* The latest ideas about black holes, worm holes, quantum
foam, and multiple universes
A marvelous introduction to scientific
cosmology, The Big Bang, Third Edition, takes readers on a
spectacular journey spanning time and space.
About the Author
Joseph Silk is the Head of Astrophysics and Savilian
Professor of Astronomy in the Department of Physics at the
University of Oxford. Previously, he was a tenured professor
at the University of California at Berkeley, where he
researched theoretical astrophysics. He has received several
awards for his contributions to astronomy, and is currently
a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, the American Physical Society, and of the Royal
Society, United Kingdom. He is the author of several books,
including A Short History of the Universe, Cosmic Enigmas,
and The Left Hand of Creation, written with John D. Barrow.
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Just
Six Numbers: The Deep Forces That Shape the Universe
by Martin J. Rees
Book Description
The genesis of the universe elegantly explained in a simple
theory based on just six numbers by one of the world's most
renowned astrophysicists. |
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Book Info
Describes six numbers that now seem especially significant
two of which are related to the basic forces, two fix the
size and overall texture of our universe and determine
whether it will continue forever, and two more fix the
properties of space itself. --This text refers to an out of
print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Martin Rees is Britain's Astronomer Royal. He is the author
of several books, including
A member of the United States National Academy
of Sciences, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and numerous
foreign academies, Rees is Royal Society Research Professor
at Cambridge University.
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In
Search of the Big Bang: The Life and Death of the Universe
by John R. Gribbin
"A remarkably readable guide to the
mysteries of cosmic creation." --Nature |
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Book Description
In this radically revised and updated edition incorporating
the latest scientific findings, award-winning author John
Gribbin explores the origins of the universe and considers
its ultimate fate. He traces the long road to the first
detailed model of the Big Bang in the 1940s and reveals how
an accurate measurement of the age of the universe has
helped to provide conclusive proof of the theory of the Big
Bang.
About the Author
John Gribbin trained as an astrophysicist at the University
of Cambridge before becoming a full-time science writer. His
many books include a number of titles in the In Search of
. . . series, and his most recent books are The
Search for Superstrings, Symmetry, and the Theory of
Everything; The Case of the Missing Neutrinos: And
Other Curious Phenomena of the Universe; and Richard
Feynman: A Life in Science (with Mary Gribbin). He is
currently a visiting Fellow in Astronomy at the University
of Sussex, England.
|
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Parallel
Universes : The Search for Other Worlds
By Fred Alan Wolf
Touchstone Books, 1990
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Geometry,
Relativity, and The Fourth Dimesion
By Rudolf V.B. Rucker
Dover Pubns, 1977
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The
Physics of Immortality : Modern Cosmology, God and the Resurrection of the Dead
By Frank J. Tipler
Anchor, 1995
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The
Private Life of the Brain
By Susan A. Greenfield
John Wiley & Sons, 2000
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Relativity
: The Special and the General Theory
By Albert Einstein
Crown Pub, 1995
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Chance
and Chaos
by David Reulle
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