An introduction to modern cosmology / Andrew Liddle, Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Abbreviate to UK.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

An Introduction to Modern Cosmology Third Edition is an accessible account of modern cosmological ideas. The Big Bang Cosmology is explored, looking at its observational successes in explaining the expansion of the universe, the existence and properties of the cosmic microwave background, and the origin of light elements in the universe. Properties of the very early Universe are also covered, including the motivation for a rapid period of expansion known as cosmological inflation. The third edition brings this established undergraduate textbook up-to-date with the rapidly evolving observational situation.

This fully revised edition of a bestseller takes an approach which is grounded in physics with a logical flow of chapters leading the reader from basic ideas of the expansion described by the Friedman equations to some of the more advanced ideas about the early universe. It also incorporates up-to-date results from the Planck mission, which imaged the anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation over the whole sky. The Advanced Topic sections present subjects with more detailed mathematical approaches to give greater depth to discussions. Student problems with hints for solving them and numerical answers are embedded in the chapters to facilitate the reader's understanding and learning.

Cosmology is now part of the core in many degree programs. This current, clear and concise introductory text is relevant to a wide range of astronomy programs worldwide and is essential reading for undergraduates and masters students, as well as anyone starting research in cosmology. Supplementary material, including full-colour images, updates and links for students and instructors, is available on the author's website: www.roe.ac.uk/~arl/cosbook.html.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Liddle (Univ. of Sussex, UK) offers a new edition of his book (1st ed., CH, Oct'99), aimed at introductory cosmology students. A good background in physics is required, but as the author points out, "the emphasis is aimed at physical intuition rather than mathematical rigor." The main updated addition is a section of advanced topics at the end of the book. They include general relativity, neutrino cosmology, baryogenesis, and structures in the universe. Some of the chapters have been rearranged, and the latest observational material on cosmology has been added. Overall, the book is complete and up-to-date. It is not as comprehensive as Scott Dodelson's Modern Cosmology (CH, Oct'03), or P.J.E. Peebles's Principles of Physical Cosmology (CH, Nov'93), but it would serve as a good introduction to the study of these and other more advanced books. The book offers a good selection of problems at the end of the chapters, with answers given at the end of the book, and numerous diagrams. Overall, an excellent introduction of cosmology, and at this level it is hard to beat. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. B. R. Parker emeritus, Idaho State University