Universe
A Guide to Everything
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Reaktion Books
Publishing:1st Mar '26
£17.95
This title is due to be published on 1st March, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
The physical universe is a most peculiar concept, not only different from the objects it contains but also from space itself. Cosmology – the science that seeks to explain it – has always differed from other sciences, drawing on philosophy and even theology. These influences remain, even in today’s data-driven cosmological models. This accessible and far-reaching book traces the development of cosmological thought from antiquity to the twenty-first century, with particular focus on the foundational work of Einstein, Hubble and others in the early twentieth century. It explores how modern theories rest on a surprisingly fragile base and argues that many cosmic mysteries may remain permanently unsolved. Rich in historical and philosophical insight, this is a lucid guide to what we know – and perhaps cannot know – about the universe.
Helge Kragh is the leading historian of scientific studies of the universe. He also possesses a rare ability to make complex ideas accessible and understandable. In Universe, we see him in sparkling form, presenting a lucid and engaging account of how people have envisioned the universe from ancient Greece to the twenty-first century. A reader could not ask for a better guide to this captivating story. * Robert Smith, Professor of History, University of Alberta *
In this book Helge Kragh, one of the premier historians of cosmology, offers a lively account of our conceptions of the universe from Aristotle to the present. Written for a broad audience, it also addresses ultimate pressing mysteries like what came before the Big Bang; the ultimate fate of galaxies, black holes, and life; and whether we may live in a multiverse. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the changing conceptions of our place in the universe. * Steven J. Dick, former NASA Chief Historian *
ISBN: 9781836391791
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
192 pages