The advent of sensitive high-resolution observations of the cosmic
microwave background radiation and their successful interpretation in
terms of the standard cosmological model has led to great confidence
in this model's reality. The prevailing attitude is that we now
understand the Universe and need only work out the details. In this
book, Sanders traces the development and successes of Lambda-CDM, and
argues that this triumphalism may be premature. The model's two major
components, dark energy and dark matter, have the character of the
pre-twentieth-century luminiferous aether. While there is astronomical
evidence for these hypothetical fluids, their enigmatic properties
call into question our assumptions of the universality of locally
determined physical law. Sanders explains how modified Newtonian
dynamics (MOND) is a significant challenge for cold dark matter.
Overall, the message is hopeful: the field of cosmology has not become
frozen, and there is much fundamental work ahead for tomorrow's
cosmologists.
Les mer
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781316942277
Publisert
2016
Utgiver
Cambridge University Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter