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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.

Written in an engaging style, using clear explanations and analogies to help students connect cosmology to everyday life
Fits well to introductory cosmology courses, without requiring advanced mathematics or any prior study of astronomy
Includes creative end-of-chapter problems that have been class-tested on students, with an instructor´s manual featuring solutions available via www.cambridge.org/cosmology



Table of Contents
Preface to second edition
Preface to first edition
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
Epilogue
Bibliography
Table of useful constants
Index.