Cosmology: Difference between revisions
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Cosmology<ref>compare with ''cosmogony'' the study of or a theory of the creation and evolution of the universe. Sometimes creation myths are termed cosmogonies. Greek ''cosmos'':order, the universe, the world + ''gonos'': creation, birth. [http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/mythterms.htm] Webster, M. Grand Valley State University, Allendale Michigan</ref>is a branch of astronomy committed to the study of the universe as a whole, of the contents, structure, and evolution of the universe from the beginning of time to the future. | Cosmology<ref>compare with ''cosmogony'' the study of or a theory of the creation and evolution of the universe. Sometimes creation myths are termed cosmogonies. Greek ''cosmos'':order, the universe, the world + ''gonos'': creation, birth. [http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/mythterms.htm] Webster, M. Grand Valley State University, Allendale Michigan</ref>is a branch of astronomy committed to the study of the universe as a whole, of the contents, structure, and evolution of the universe from the beginning of time to the future. | ||
==Ancient cosmology== | |||
==Medieval cosmology== | |||
==Modern Cosmology== | |||
A seminal project in the advancement of cosmology was [[COBE (astronomy)|COBE]]. With COBE, the extent and precision of the data gathered shifted the entire field of cosmology prompting the Nobel Foundation (Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences) to comment, "the COBE-project can also be regarded as the starting point for cosmology as a precision science: For the first time cosmological calculations (like those concerning the relationship between dark matter and ordinary, visible matter) could be compared with data from real measurements. This makes modern cosmology a true science (rather than a kind of philosophical speculation, like earlier cosmology)."<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2006/info.pdf The Nobel Prize in Physics 2006] Information for the public. p. 5. Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Accessed 30.07.07</ref> | A seminal project in the advancement of cosmology was [[COBE (astronomy)|COBE]]. With COBE, the extent and precision of the data gathered shifted the entire field of cosmology prompting the Nobel Foundation (Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences) to comment, "the COBE-project can also be regarded as the starting point for cosmology as a precision science: For the first time cosmological calculations (like those concerning the relationship between dark matter and ordinary, visible matter) could be compared with data from real measurements. This makes modern cosmology a true science (rather than a kind of philosophical speculation, like earlier cosmology)."<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2006/info.pdf The Nobel Prize in Physics 2006] Information for the public. p. 5. Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Accessed 30.07.07</ref> | ||
===Leading theoretical focus=== | |||
====The Big Bang==== | |||
The Big Bang, a label bestowed derisively by its leading critic, Fred Hoyle in the early part of the 20th century, is basically a theory of the universe with a beginning, and possibly an end. Until the Big Bang, cosmology was established on an immutable, everlasting and unchanging universe, the Aristotelian model. | |||
Until Georges Lemaître, the idea of a beginning was hotly rejected, even by those whose evidence best supported this theory, people such as Einstein and Hubble. | |||
In essence the Big Bang is about a moment--an extremely short moment--wherein all the matter and energy of the universe is condensed into a space smaller than the subatomic components of an atom, and then are released in a sudden moment. The problem with this model of the cosmos is that prior to the moment of the Big Bang, it is not possible to actually investigate what happened, to scientifically research the nature of things, a problem that nearly lead Einstein to ultimately reject this theory. | |||
====Galaxies and clusters==== | |||
====Relic radiation==== | |||
====Cosmic strings==== | |||
====Inflation==== | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 08:14, 26 December 2007
Cosmology[1]is a branch of astronomy committed to the study of the universe as a whole, of the contents, structure, and evolution of the universe from the beginning of time to the future.
Ancient cosmology
Medieval cosmology
Modern Cosmology
A seminal project in the advancement of cosmology was COBE. With COBE, the extent and precision of the data gathered shifted the entire field of cosmology prompting the Nobel Foundation (Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences) to comment, "the COBE-project can also be regarded as the starting point for cosmology as a precision science: For the first time cosmological calculations (like those concerning the relationship between dark matter and ordinary, visible matter) could be compared with data from real measurements. This makes modern cosmology a true science (rather than a kind of philosophical speculation, like earlier cosmology)."[2]
Leading theoretical focus
The Big Bang
The Big Bang, a label bestowed derisively by its leading critic, Fred Hoyle in the early part of the 20th century, is basically a theory of the universe with a beginning, and possibly an end. Until the Big Bang, cosmology was established on an immutable, everlasting and unchanging universe, the Aristotelian model.
Until Georges Lemaître, the idea of a beginning was hotly rejected, even by those whose evidence best supported this theory, people such as Einstein and Hubble.
In essence the Big Bang is about a moment--an extremely short moment--wherein all the matter and energy of the universe is condensed into a space smaller than the subatomic components of an atom, and then are released in a sudden moment. The problem with this model of the cosmos is that prior to the moment of the Big Bang, it is not possible to actually investigate what happened, to scientifically research the nature of things, a problem that nearly lead Einstein to ultimately reject this theory.
Galaxies and clusters
Relic radiation
Cosmic strings
Inflation
References
- ↑ compare with cosmogony the study of or a theory of the creation and evolution of the universe. Sometimes creation myths are termed cosmogonies. Greek cosmos:order, the universe, the world + gonos: creation, birth. [1] Webster, M. Grand Valley State University, Allendale Michigan
- ↑ The Nobel Prize in Physics 2006 Information for the public. p. 5. Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Accessed 30.07.07