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Summary
Summary
A prize-winning popular science writer uses mathematical modeling to explain the cosmos.
In Calculating the Cosmos , Ian Stewart presents an exhilarating guide to the cosmos, from our solar system to the entire universe. He describes the architecture of space and time, dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies form, why stars implode, how everything began, and how it's all going to end. He considers parallel universes, the fine-tuning of the cosmos for life, what forms extraterrestrial life might take, and the likelihood of life on Earth being snuffed out by an asteroid.
Beginning with the Babylonian integration of mathematics into the study of astronomy and cosmology, Stewart traces the evolution of our understanding of the cosmos: How Kepler's laws of planetary motion led Newton to formulate his theory of gravity. How, two centuries later, tiny irregularities in the motion of Mars inspired Einstein to devise his general theory of relativity. How, eighty years ago, the discovery that the universe is expanding led to the development of the Big Bang theory of its origins. How single-point origin and expansion led cosmologists to theorize new components of the universe, such as inflation, dark matter, and dark energy. But does inflation explain the structure of today's universe? Does dark matter actually exist? Could a scientific revolution that will challenge the long-held scientific orthodoxy and once again transform our understanding of the universe be on the way? In an exciting and engaging style, Calculating the Cosmos is a mathematical quest through the intricate realms of astronomy and cosmology.
Author Notes
Ian Stewart is emeritus professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick. His recent books include Calculating the Cosmos, Significant Figures, In Pursuit of the Unknown , and Professor Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures . He is a fellow of the Royal Society. He lives in Coventry, UK.
Reviews (4)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Stewart (Professor Stewart's Incredible Numbers), emeritus professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick (U.K.), demonstrates how scientific inquiry and math go hand in hand in this accessible mathematical history of science. Each chapter revolves around a vexing cosmic concept-Earth's unusually large Moon, Saturn's "ears," time stopping near a black hole, and fallibility in the Big Bang theory-and the math that explains or disproves it. Telling the story of how scientists and mathematicians harness abstract mathematical relationships to figure out the real world, Stewart deftly highlights the interdependent nature of ideas. Readers see how many people taking small steps forward keep science advancing. It is easy to see why "one of the common delights of mathematical physics is that equations often seem to know more than their creators do." Stewart is sure to please math lovers, history buffs, and science enthusiasts alike by covering an array of eras, innovators, and disciplines. With virtually no equations, readers learn about complicated mathematical theory in a friendly, conversational tone; whether he's discussing "white holes," why "relativity and quantum mechanics are uneasy bedfellows," or the shape of space itself, Stewart's pages flip of their own accord. Illus. Agent: George Lucas, Inkwell Management. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Stewart (Mathematics/Univ. of Warwick; Professor Stewarts Incredible Numbers, 2015, etc.) tackles the universe in this latest compendium of facts and fancy.The prolific popularizer shows that he is not only a polymath in the sense that he is a master of all fields of mathematics, but also in his comprehension of physics, astronomy, and cosmology. The author begins by chronicling how humans throughout history have thought about the universe, from Babylonian and Greek thinkers to Galileo and Newton. Stewart then pauses to note that Newtons laws of motion and gravity have been fundamental to our understanding of celestial motions and, in many cases, still work. Then Einstein upset the apple cart with his observations confirming findings that while the speed of light is a constant, space-time is not flat, la Newton, but curved due to the gravitational effects of stars and other objects with mass. From this point on, the author describes mathematical models developed to explain observations and revisions of the models in light of better data. The problem is that the models are always simplifications, Stewart observes, and when better observations contradict the model, either the model has to change or the observations are proved to be wrong. Today, the accepted model of the origin of the cosmos is the Big Bang that happened 13.8 billion years ago, a model that has been modified by the concepts of inflation, dark matter, and dark energy. Alas, these introduce other problemsnot to mention recent observations that some stars appear to be older than 13.8 billion years. By the end of the book, readers are likely to be daunted by current models and controversies, but that seems to be Stewarts point: we are human, we speculate, we constantly reviseand we also write science fiction. A word to the wise: this is not cosmology for dummies. Parts of the text are nearly impenetrable, and Stewarts compact style provides few diagrams or even equations. However, he effectively shows that time and technology will evolve ever better calculations of the cosmos. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Choice Review
Despite its title, no mathematics appears in this book. Mathematician Stewart's goal is to illustrate how physicists use mathematics to comprehend the operation of the universe. To the extent that the mathematical theories reproduce observations, one can say that the phenomena being investigated are "understood." The success of mathematics in this endeavor is remarkable; there is no reason to expect it to work so well over a wide range of applications. Stewart does an exceptional job carrying out his program. His writing is very lucid and smooth. The topics covered begin with the collapse of the solar nebula to form the sun and planets. He then segues into an account of the various theories of formation of the Earth's moon. Moving on from there is a discussion of the formation of the solar system, exoplanets, black holes, galaxies, galactic clusters, and dark matter. The section on black holes is one of the most thorough among books of this genre. In the reviewer's awareness, the section on calculating interplanetary orbits for spacecraft does not appear in any popular science book. The work is highly recommended for community college and general libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers. --Alan Spero, University of California
Library Journal Review
Astronomy and mathematics have been linked from the golden age of Greece through the present day. Though this volume recounts that history, most of the text can be divided into two main sections: planetary motion and cosmology. In the former, Stewart (mathematics, director, Mathematics Awareness Ctr.; Univ. of Warwick, England) shows how modern theory has modified our image of a Newtonian stable clockwork solar system. Since the equations describing multibody systems are not solvable, they are simulated on computers. These simulations reveal systems that have an amazingly chaotic history and future. The author also relates how chaos theory makes possible the planning of the trajectories of space probes, which have provided immense amounts of new information about the planets. As for cosmology, the book explains what we know about distant galaxies, stars, and exoplanets. Although no equations are used here, certain sections still require some effort on the part of readers-but it's well worth it. Stewart's wry sense of humor adds to this informative yet entertaining read. VERDICT Highly recommended for science readers who are up for a challenge.-Harold D. Shane, Mathematics -Emeritus, Baruch Coll. Lib., CUNY © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Table of Contents
| Prologue | p. 1 |
| 1 Attraction at a Distance | p. 11 |
| 2 Collapse of the Solar Nebula | p. 27 |
| 3 Inconstant Moon | p. 40 |
| 4 The Clockwork Cosmos | p. 54 |
| 5 Celestial Police | p. 70 |
| 6 The Planet that Swallowed its Children | p. 84 |
| 7 Cosimo's Stars | p. 96 |
| 8 Off on a Comet | p. 106 |
| 9 Chaos in the Cosmos | p. 119 |
| 10 The Interplanetary Superhighway | p. 137 |
| 11 Great Balls of Fire | p. 150 |
| 12 Great Sky River | p. 172 |
| 13 Alien Worlds | p. 187 |
| 14 Dark Stars | p. 207 |
| 15 Skeins and Voids | p. 226 |
| 16 The Cosmic Egg | p. 241 |
| 17 The Big Blow-Up | p. 251 |
| 18 The Dark Side | p. 262 |
| 19 Outside the Universe | p. 277 |
| Epilogue | p. 295 |
| Units and Jargon | p. 299 |
| Notes and References | p. 304 |
| Picture Credits | p. 321 |
| Index | p. 323 |