Introduction to Cosmology

This second edition of Introduction to Cosmology is an exciting update of an award-winning textbook. It is aimed primarily at advanced undergraduate students in physics and astronomy, but is also useful as a supplementary text at higher levels. It explains modern cosmological concepts, such as dark energy, in the context of the Big Bang theory. Its clear, lucid writing style, with a wealth of useful everyday analogies, makes it exceptionally engaging. Emphasis is placed on the links between theoretical concepts of cosmology and the observable properties of the universe, building deeper physical insights in the reader. The second edition includes recent observational results, fuller descriptions of special and general relativity, expanded discussions of dark energy, and a new chapter on baryonic matter that makes up stars and galaxies. It is an ideal textbook for the era of precision cosmology in the accelerating universe.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 

2 Fundamental Observations 

3 Newton versus Einstein 

4 Cosmic Dynamics 

5 Model Universes 

6 Measuring Cosmological Parameters 

7 Dark Matter 

8 The Cosmic Microwave Background 

9 Nucleosynthesis and the Early Universe 

10 Inflation and the Very Early Universe 

11 Structure Formation: Gravitational Instability

12 Structure Formation: Baryons and Photons 

About the author

Barbara Sue Ryden is an American astrophysicist who is a Professor of Astronomy at Ohio State University. Her research considers the formation, shape and structure of galaxies. She was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2016.