Cosmology: the science of the universe

"Cosmology: The Science of the Universe is a broad introduction to the science of modern cosmology, with emphasis on its historical origins. This book explores the realm of receding galaxies, the nature of space and time, black holes, inflation and the expansion of the universe. The subjects range from the subatomic to the extragalactic, from the beginning to the end of time, from terrestrial to extraterrestrial life and encompass the origin of atoms, galaxies, the cosmos and life itself." "In this book, Professor Harrison shows that societies in every age construct universes, or world systems, that seek to make sense of human experience. He also shows how the Babylonian, Pythagorean, Aristotelian, Stoic, Epicurean, Medieval, Cartesian and Newtonian ancestral world systems laid the foundation of the modern physical universe."--Jacket.  Read more... pt. 1. -- [ch.] 1. What is cosmology? -- [ch.] 2. Early scientific cosmology -- [ch.] 3. Cartesian and Newtonian world systems -- [ch.] 4. Cosmology after Newton and before Einstein -- [ch.] 5. Stars -- [ch.] 6. Galaxies -- [ch.] 7. Location and the cosmic center -- [ch.] 8. Containment and the cosmic edge -- [ch.] 9. Space and time -- pt. 2. -- [ch.] 10. Curved space -- [ch.] 11. Special relativity -- [ch.] 12. General relativity -- [ch.] 13. Black holes -- [ch.] 14. Expansion of the universe -- [ch.] 15. Redshifts -- [ch.] 16. Newtonian cosmology -- [ch.] 17. The cosmic box -- [ch.] 18. The many universes -- [ch.] 19. Observational cosmology -- pt. 3. -- [ch.] 20 The early universe -- [ch.] 21. Horizons in the universe -- [ch.] 22. Inflation -- [ch.] 23. The cosmic numbers -- [ch.] 24. Darkness at night -- [ch.] 25. Creation of the universe -- [ch.] 26. Life in the universe -- appendix. Fundamental quantities