Cosmology Definition and 948 Threads

Cosmology (from Greek κόσμος, kosmos "world" and -λογία, -logia "study of") is a branch of astronomy concerned with the studies of the origin and evolution of the universe, from the Big Bang to today and on into the future. It is the scientific study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe. Physical cosmology is the scientific study of the universe's origin, its large-scale structures and dynamics, and its ultimate fate, as well as the laws of science that govern these areas.The term cosmology was first used in English in 1656 in Thomas Blount's Glossographia, and in 1731 taken up in Latin by German philosopher Christian Wolff, in Cosmologia Generalis.Religious or mythological cosmology is a body of beliefs based on mythological, religious, and esoteric literature and traditions of creation myths and eschatology.
Physical cosmology is studied by scientists, such as astronomers and physicists, as well as philosophers, such as metaphysicians, philosophers of physics, and philosophers of space and time. Because of this shared scope with philosophy, theories in physical cosmology may include both scientific and non-scientific propositions, and may depend upon assumptions that cannot be tested. Cosmology differs from astronomy in that the former is concerned with the Universe as a whole while the latter deals with individual celestial objects. Modern physical cosmology is dominated by the Big Bang theory, which attempts to bring together observational astronomy and particle physics; more specifically, a standard parameterization of the Big Bang with dark matter and dark energy, known as the Lambda-CDM model.
Theoretical astrophysicist David N. Spergel has described cosmology as a "historical science" because "when we look out in space, we look back in time" due to the finite nature of the speed of light.

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  1. H

    Does the accelerated Expansion add credibility to Steady State Cosmology?

    Recently the expansion of the Universe has been found to accelerate. When studying Hoyle, Gold and Bondi's Steady State Cosmology, it clearly predicts an acceleration like this. I realize that this theory has been 'put to bed', and abolished, and all the other colorful language people like to...
  2. marcus

    Video lecture on Loop Quantum Cosmology

    LQC is the dominant approach to quantum cosmology these days, if you gauge by recent peer-review publication and citations in the professional literature. So anybody who wants to know about quantum cosmology could be well advised to get an introduction to LQC. Parampreet Singh is one of the...
  3. N

    What Does the Maximum Proper Distance at z ~ 1.7 Mean in Cosmology?

    Homework Statement Hi all. When looking at a graph that shows the proper distance at the time of emission as a function of the redshift z in a model-universe with only matter, the proper distance at time of emission has a maximum at about z ~ 1.7. What does this maximum mean? I can see...
  4. A

    Learn Cosmology: Books for Self-Learning Up to Grad Level

    I have long been interested in cosmology, and I took a course with the same title in undergrad. We used Liddle's book An Introduction to Modern Cosmology which I thought was pretty good, but it was relatively short. I have knowledge of mathematics and physics up to early graduate level (got my...
  5. N

    Where Did I Go Wrong in My Big Bang Nucleosynthesis Calculation?

    [SOLVED] Astrophysics homework: Cosmology Homework Statement I have to show that during the Big Bang Nuchleosynthesis, the scalefactor is approximately given by a(t) = \left( {4H_0^2 \Omega _{r,0} } \right)^{1/4} \sqrt t The Attempt at a Solution Ok, since the BBNS is during the first ~3...
  6. J

    Programs PhD in Cosmology = life in academia?

    I find myself very interested in Cosmology and would consider doing a PhD in the field, however I am not sure if I would like to be an academic or not. Given the relatively few technical applications of Cosmology, would it be wiser for me to enter a field with greater possibilities for...
  7. wolram

    Diminishing Results in Cosmology: Public Interest Fading?

    I think string theory and quantum loop theory are the instigators in destroying public interest in cosmology, pop articles promised so much ,but nothing emerged, i also think that funding of cosmology projects will decline with diminishing results, it is no fault of the scientist, just bad luck...
  8. marcus

    Penrose on YouTube, before bang cosmology, eight episodes October 2007

    Penrose has given this Before the Big Bang talk repeatedly over several years and it has developed. Some new thoughts, new cartoon drawings. Here on YouTube is a version he gave 31 October 2007 at George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia, near Washington DC). It comes in several segments. The...
  9. D

    Alternative cosmology: the arp-narlikar's variable mass theory

    Hi! I'm interested in alternative cosmologies and the variable mass hypothesis developed by arp and narlikar seems to explain better the discordant redshifts: but I can't understand how this theory calculates cosmic distances according redshift and time. Narlikar says that " We have here a flat...
  10. Loren Booda

    Cosmology: Science of the Universe, by E. R. Harrison

    Have you read this book (2nd edition), and if so, what do you think of its approach to cosmology? Personally, it is one of my all-time favorite physics books - joyfully understandable, beautifully imaginative and lastingly philosophical.
  11. marcus

    Is the Big Bang No Longer the Beginning?

    It is conjectured that we are at an historic watershed when people will stop thinking of the big bang as the Beginning of time or our universe, but will see it as a step along the way. The frontiers of science---what we can model and test---are being pushed back to conditions prior to the onset...
  12. D

    Grad Level Cosmology Books: Structure Formation & More

    Hi there, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendation on a good grad level cosmology book. Something dealing with more astrophysical things like structure formation. I'm using the Cole & Lucchin book for my class now and am not really a big fan of it. The other books I've found are either...
  13. L

    Logical Positivism versus Cosmology

    When I went through a course on Relativity, the professor said that relativity was at its foundation based on the philosophy of logical positivism (i.e., the only meaningful discussion is of observations, no discussion of a larger reality is meaningful), which seems to preclude larger...
  14. G

    The End of Cosmology: Is Special Relativity at Odds?

    The other day I read a rencent article in Scientific American entitled "The End of Cosmology." I have a simple question that I hope someone can clarify for me. Let me first give a brief summary and my understanding of the article. In every direction the universe is expanding, and this...
  15. C

    Cosmology getting stale with discoveries?

    Greetings, I was an avid amateur cosmologist for a few years, but lost interest 2 years ago. What I recall is a few basics like: 1) Univ is ~13.7 billion years old 2) Univ is accelerating in expansion 3) WMAP measured ~2.75 Kelvin vacuum temp. 4) Space is indeed flat Euclidean...
  16. S

    Good textbooks on modern cosmology ?

    Is there a modern cosmology textbook as good or better than Scott Dodelson's?
  17. W

    Is cosmology an extension of creation science?

    Is cosmology an attempt of the church to highjack science? Is this cosmology the beginning of a new breed of "science" where belief is protected and taught under the name of science?
  18. D

    Solving Cosmology Question: Redshift where Radiation = Matter Energy Density

    Hi guys, I'm in a pickle here with an assignment. I'm required to find the redshift at which the energy density in radiation equals the energy density in matter. The following are the givens we were...well, given: 1) assume 1 baryon = 10^9 photon 2) assume all photons have energy to the...
  19. J

    Is There a Contradiction Between Entropy in Thermodynamics and Cosmology?

    I don't know if this is the appropriate forum for my dilemma, but here it goes: Second law of thermodynamics says that the entropy in the universe increases. In every texbook I have learned, ice is considered to have low entropy. When it melts, entropy increases. When that water becomes water...
  20. C

    Seventh Alexander Friedmann International Seminar On Gravitation And Cosmology

    Here is the homepage of the event -- to be held from Jun 19 to Jul 05 2008, in João Pessoa, Brazil: http://www.fisica.ufpb.br/eventos/friedmann2008/friedmann2008new2.htm http://www.fisica.ufpb.br/eventos/friedmann2008/friedmann2008new2_arquivos/page0016.htm" are the current scheduled...
  21. M

    Cosmology Question: Expansion of the Universe

    Homework Statement So the other day in my cosmology class we talked about whether smaller objects like a solar system, a star or a galaxy expand with the rest of the universe. While the answer is obviously no, since local gravitational forces can overcome that expansion, our professor...
  22. D

    What is the difference between cosmology and astrophysics

    hi. this is probably in the wrong place, but what is the difference between cosmology and astrophysics... i only ask because i wanted to be an astrophysisist, but before i make up my mind for sure i just want to know what cosmology is... thankyou dan
  23. jal

    How Does Solid Hydrogen Impact Our Understanding of Cosmology?

    Here is what I have learned ,….. the experiments on “warm dense matter” (WDM) will have impact on Cosmology. Ionized might be a good word to describe the universe prior decoupling. There will be new calculations to try to understand the universe before decoupling (400,000 years) Prior to...
  24. marcus

    Video: The Problem of Time in Quantum Gravity and Cosmology

    This could be good http://pirsa.org/08010033 ==quote== PIRSA:08010033 Title: Lecture 1 ( Windows Media , Macromedia Flash , MP3 Audio , PDF) Speaker(s): Lee Smolin Abstract: The Problem of Time in Quantum Gravity and Cosmology Date: 09/01/2008 - 7:00 pm Location: 405 URL...
  25. wolram

    An apology and thoughts on the cost of experimental cosmology

    My posts have been rude i am just annoyed that all though i have learned a lot about cosmology i have learned nothing that matters, you guys spend years of hard work doing things only you can, i wish you had a bigger budget to work with, so that theory could be tested, i know you would like...
  26. C

    Can you help me have a general view on cosmology and astrophysics?

    Our college has just established a new department: laboratory of high energy physics and cosmology. And it is the first in our country. We are first students,too. Can you help me have a general view on cosmology and astrophysics? We only know little about some constellations and solar...
  27. M

    Best way for a layman to get up to speed on cosmology outside of school

    I got as far as Calc 2 in college, took some college physics and read lots of popular cosmology books. What if I want to get technical now? What specific math do I need to know to fast track it without learning things that are irrelevant? It's too late to go back to school now.
  28. E

    Difference between astronomy and cosmology

    well, dear all first i want to introduce myself, i am a mechanical engineer working professionally as a piping stress analyst in a multi-national firm, well cosmology and the things abt the origin of time and space etc seems to be very nice things to study and i am new to them, can u please tell...
  29. E

    Quantum gravity and quantum cosmology books

    At the risk of annoying some people but hopefully also interesting others I would like to mention my new book on the periodic table, which has just been named as one of 7 "outstdanding academic books of the year 2007" in the category for chemistry But the book is as much about physics as it...
  30. H

    How the Sun Really Works: Exploring Plasma Cosmology

    I found a video called "how the sun really works" on youtube. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihVaL-FHUyk" Well. This did not make much sense for me. Is there something to be debunked?
  31. F

    Solving Friedmann Equation for Cosmology

    :confused: could anyone please help me with this coursework,i am soo confused with maths,thanks 1) Start with friedmann equation for case for flat universe k=0 with mass density total p =p(m) + p(cosmo constant). how can i derive integral relating scale factor to time in form...
  32. D

    Are There Any Cosmology Documentaries for Adults?

    Hello, Recently I've been trying to spark my friend's interest on Cosmology, and thus have been browsing the net for documentaries. Apart from BBC Space (which is somewhat outdated now), all the rest are as if scientists are talking to 5 year olds trying to make them understand with ludicrous...
  33. Q

    What Are the Key Controversies in Understanding the Big Bang Theory?

    To begin with, I'll let you know I am a student. I am prone to theoretical physics and philosophy over cold, hard, mathematical fact. That being said, I was recently intrigued by a few things I learned regarding the Big Bang Theory. I'm still really shaky on the topic, though, and I could use...
  34. G

    How to teach Isaac Newton the standard model and cosmology

    You are given a chance to fly back in time with no worry over changing history in bad ways. Knock knock and you enter a college looking for famous Isaac Newton, age 45, in person. He's a real fun in every way - mechanics, theory of gravity, celestial mechanics, calculus, the queen. Also he...
  35. P

    Which Books Are Best for Beginners in Cosmology?

    Hello, I am looking for some of the best books regarding cosmology, parallel universes, time travel, dimensions, quantum mechanics, theoretical physics, etc. for a layman. I am interested in the subject and would love to learn more about it. Any advice of where to get started would be...
  36. Jorrie

    Friedmann Cosmology at T < 1 second

    MTW section 27.7 states: It then proceeds to derive the relationships: \rho_m a^3 = constant and \rho_v a^4 = constant that pervect has shown before. My question: does this mean one cannot push the basic Friedmann equations that were discussed so exhaustively in the locked thread...
  37. D

    Forthcoming cosmology book from Steven Weinberg?

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198526822/?tag=pfamazon01-20 I wonder if this is an update of his book Gravitation and Cosmology.
  38. M

    How are cosmology and philosophy related in their pursuit of knowledge?

    Why haven't cosmology and philosophy been formerly combined? They both deal with the beginning of the universe and what it happened, at least one certain field of philosophy. So why not?
  39. wolram

    Plasma Cosmology & Electric Universe: Claims & Evidence

    The electric universe http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4773590301316220374 many claims that challenge main stream cosmology.
  40. H

    Can an advanced civilization overcome the limitations of cosmology?

    Is it possible that a sufficiently intelligent and technologically advanced civilization, at some point in the future, could colonize the entire universe and control it? I mean, could it stop the accelerating expansion of the universe, entropy, proton decay, black holes, etc? Could it create...
  41. wolram

    Exploring the Advances in Cosmology Since Einstein

    Can anyone tell me how far cosmology has advanced beyond Enstein?
  42. wolram

    What are the unexpected aspects of cosmology?

    arXiv:0709.3102 [ps, pdf, other] Title: Cosmology and the Unexpected Authors: Edward W. Kolb Comments: Two lectures presented at the International School of Subnuclear Physics, "Searching for the 'totally unexpected' in the LHC era," Erice, Italy 2007 Subjects: Astrophysics (astro-ph)...
  43. S

    What's Wrong with My Pet Theory of Cosmology?

    Ok. I've got to know what you guys think of my pet theory. << URL snipped >> There are some things I'll never understand, like quantum gravity, and the like. But I'm an engineer so I can piece some things together. What I want to know is, what is wrong with my pet theory? There's GOT to be...
  44. Q

    Modern Cosmology: Science or Folktale?

    American Scientists Online: see full issue: September-October 2007 Other Formats: PDF Modern Cosmology: Science or Folktale? Current cosmological theory rests on a disturbingly small number of independent observations Michael J. Disney...
  45. L

    Maths book needed, for leading to cosmology

    Hi all, First post here, so hello! Anyway, I am a 16 year old high school student. I have always had an interest in astronomy which led to, over the last few years, an interest in cosmology. I have read a whole lot of 'popular scientist' type material on cosmology, Brief History of Time, ect...
  46. M

    Cosmology at differing values of c?

    How would the Universe evolve under differing values of c? c being the speed 3 x 10^8 m/s as defined, being the speed electromagnetic, and other massless forces propogate. I'm interested in scenarios where c varies relative to the other constants of nature, I'm wondering if or how the...
  47. F

    What are some recommended resources for learning introductory cosmology?

    can anyone give me any information on some good books, online books or lecture notes to help me with university introductory cosmology i have my lecture notes but they are very poor and i find it difficult reading and interpreting what is going on thanks
  48. marcus

    Bojo in Nature Physics July issue, probing before bigbang with quantum cosmology

    Here is the Penn State press release http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-07/ps-whb062907.php called "What happened before the big bang" the press release evidently covers much of what you need a subscription to read in Nature Physics magazine, or else have to get it at your university...
  49. marcus

    Who the top quantum cosmology researchers are

    By quantum cosmology QC I mean research using a quantized version of the familiar classical Friedman-LeMaitre model used in mainstream cosmology. Quantum cosmology is beginning to have an impact on regular cosmology. It offers answers to certain puzzles and also prospects of testing QC...
  50. marcus

    Hellfire's introduction to quantum cosmology

    If you want an accessible overview of quantum cosmology try this TOC: https://www.physicsforums.com/blogs/hellfire-3727/category/interesting.html Hellfire covers different attempts made since the 1960s, and by comparing them (and showing historical development) makes the whole subject...
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