Calculating the Cosmos: How Mathematics Unveils the Universe

by Ian Stewart Narrated by Dana Hickox

Overview

In Calculating the Cosmos, Ian Stewart presents an exhilarating guide to the cosmos, from our solar system to the entire universe. He describes the architecture of space and time, dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies form, why stars implode, how everything began, and how it's all going to end. He considers parallel universes, the fine-tuning of the cosmos for life, what forms extraterrestrial life might take, and the likelihood of life on Earth being snuffed out by an asteroid. Beginning with the Babylonian integration of mathematics into the study of astronomy and cosmology, Stewart traces the evolution of our understanding of the cosmos: How Kepler's laws of planetary motion led Newton to formulate his theory of gravity. How, two centuries later, tiny irregularities in the motion of Mars inspired Einstein to devise his general theory of relativity. How, eighty years ago, the discovery that the universe is expanding led to the development of the Big Bang theory of its origins. How single-point origin and expansion led cosmologists to theorize new components of the universe, such as inflation, dark matter, and dark energy. But does inflation explain the structure of today's universe? Does dark matter actually exist? Could a scientific revolution that will challenge the long-held scientific orthodoxy and once again transform our understanding of the universe be on the way? In an exciting and engaging style, Calculating the Cosmos is a mathematical quest through the intricate realms of astronomy and cosmology.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

09/26/2016
Stewart (Professor Stewart’s Incredible Numbers), emeritus professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick (U.K.), demonstrates how scientific inquiry and math go hand in hand in this accessible mathematical history of science. Each chapter revolves around a vexing cosmic concept—Earth’s unusually large Moon, Saturn’s “ears,” time stopping near a black hole, and fallibility in the Big Bang theory—and the math that explains or disproves it. Telling the story of how scientists and mathematicians harness abstract mathematical relationships to figure out the real world, Stewart deftly highlights the interdependent nature of ideas. Readers see how many people taking small steps forward keep science advancing. It is easy to see why “one of the common delights of mathematical physics is that equations often seem to know more than their creators do.” Stewart is sure to please math lovers, history buffs, and science enthusiasts alike by covering an array of eras, innovators, and disciplines. With virtually no equations, readers learn about complicated mathematical theory in a friendly, conversational tone; whether he’s discussing “white holes,” why “relativity and quantum mechanics are uneasy bedfellows,” or the shape of space itself, Stewart’s pages flip of their own accord. Illus. Agent: George Lucas, Inkwell Management. (Nov.)

From the Publisher

"[Stewart] shows that he is not only a polymath in the sense that he is a master of all fields of mathematics, but also in his comprehension of physics, astronomy, and cosmology...[In Calculating the Cosmos] he effectively shows that time and technology will evolve ever better calculations of the cosmos."—Kirkus Reviews

"In Calculating the Cosmos Ian Stewart elegantly reviews the uncanny effectiveness of mathematics in explaining the universe.... Mr. Stewart beautifully describes how Newton's laws can still produce surprising results."—Wall Street Journal

"Ian Stewart covers the long story of our beloved cosmos wearing mathematical glasses, and we can only be thankful that he has been our guide in this journey."—Marco Moriconi, NYTimes.com

"A fascinating tour, seamlessly spliced and historically contextualized."—Nature

"Stewart's wry sense of humor adds to this informative yet entertaining read.... Highly recommended for science readers who are up for a challenge."—Library Journal

"Like most of Stewart's books, this one has much to recommend it."—Mark Hunacek, MAA Reviews

"In his accessible and engaging style, Stewart uses math to describe the architecture of space and time; dark matter and dark energy; how galaxies, stars, and planets form; why stars implode; how everything began; and how it's all going to end."—Publishers Weekly, Fall Announcements

"In Calculating the Cosmos, Ian Stewart offers readers a marvelous, behind-the-scenes look, from a mathematician's perspective, at how science is able to perform its magic. With compelling, crystal-clear prose, laced with delightful analogies, Stewart brings the calculations behind astronomy and other scientific fields to life. With Stewart's excellent guide to the cosmos in hand, everything does compute—splendidly adding up to a fun, fascinating read."—Paul Halpern, author of Einstein's Dice and Schrödinger's Cat

Library Journal

09/15/2016
Astronomy and mathematics have been linked from the golden age of Greece through the present day. Though this volume recounts that history, most of the text can be divided into two main sections: planetary motion and cosmology. In the former, Stewart (mathematics, director, Mathematics Awareness Ctr.; Univ. of Warwick, England) shows how modern theory has modified our image of a Newtonian stable clockwork solar system. Since the equations describing multibody systems are not solvable, they are simulated on computers. These simulations reveal systems that have an amazingly chaotic history and future. The author also relates how chaos theory makes possible the planning of the trajectories of space probes, which have provided immense amounts of new information about the planets. As for cosmology, the book explains what we know about distant galaxies, stars, and exoplanets. Although no equations are used here, certain sections still require some effort on the part of readers—but it's well worth it. Stewart's wry sense of humor adds to this informative yet entertaining read. VERDICT Highly recommended for science readers who are up for a challenge.—Harold D. Shane, Mathematics Emeritus, Baruch Coll. Lib., CUNY

Kirkus Review

2016-07-31
Stewart (Mathematics/Univ. of Warwick; Professor Stewart’s Incredible Numbers, 2015, etc.) tackles the universe in this latest compendium of facts and fancy.The prolific popularizer shows that he is not only a polymath in the sense that he is a master of all fields of mathematics, but also in his comprehension of physics, astronomy, and cosmology. The author begins by chronicling how humans throughout history have thought about the universe, from Babylonian and Greek thinkers to Galileo and Newton. Stewart then pauses to note that Newton’s laws of motion and gravity have been fundamental to our understanding of celestial motions and, in many cases, still work. Then Einstein upset the apple cart with his observations confirming findings that while the speed of light is a constant, space-time is not flat, á la Newton, but curved due to the gravitational effects of stars and other objects with mass. From this point on, the author describes mathematical models developed to explain observations and revisions of the models in light of better data. The problem is that the models are always simplifications, Stewart observes, and when better observations contradict the model, either the model has to change or the observations are proved to be wrong. Today, the accepted model of the origin of the cosmos is the Big Bang that happened 13.8 billion years ago, a model that has been modified by the concepts of inflation, dark matter, and dark energy. Alas, these introduce other problems—not to mention recent observations that some stars appear to be older than 13.8 billion years. By the end of the book, readers are likely to be daunted by current models and controversies, but that seems to be Stewart’s point: we are human, we speculate, we constantly revise—and we also write science fiction. A word to the wise: this is not cosmology for dummies. Parts of the text are nearly impenetrable, and Stewart’s compact style provides few diagrams or even equations. However, he effectively shows that time and technology will evolve ever better calculations of the cosmos.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172580673
Publisher:	Ascent Audio
Publication date:	10/25/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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