This book examines the world of cosmological research, providing an in-depth critical review of the research associated with challenges to the standard Big Bang scenario. It includes studies that are apparently at odds with the current standard Lambda-CDM model, providing examples of alternative theories, tests and problems with the standard model, and a discussion on the philosophy and sociology of cosmology.
Theoretical limitations and practical implications of the Standard Model are discussed, assessing the sociological factors contributing to the neglect of alternative cosmological ideas, which include the allocation of funds, research positions, prestige, and telescope time, as well as discussing the religious, economic and political ideologies that influence the contents of cosmological ideas. The book is an excellent resource for working cosmologists, as well as undergraduate and graduate students of Astronomy and Philosophy of Science.
Key Features:
- Discusses the fundamental observations of cosmology in an objective, balanced way
- Explores problems with the standard model and explores alternative theories
- Discusses the positions of different philosophers and sociologists of cosmology, and the social difficulties of creating alternative cosmological models
Author(s): Martin Lopez-Corredoira
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 244
City: Bristol
Contents
Abstract
Acknowledgement
Author biography
Martín López-Corredoira
Chapter 1 Historical and conceptual introduction to the standard cosmological model
1.1 Fundamental ideas in cosmology
1.2 Cosmology in western culture before the twentieth century
1.3 Origin and evolution of the standard cosmological model
1.4 Pillars of the standard model
1.4.1 General relativity and basic equations of the standard cosmological model
1.4.2 Observational pillars
1.5 Towards a sceptical position on cosmology
References
Chapter 2 Some examples of alternative cosmologies
2.1 Variations on the standard model
2.2 Quasi-steady state cosmology
2.3 Plasma cosmology
2.4 Universe as a hypersphere
2.5 Static models and/or non-cosmological redshifts
2.6 Caveats/problems in the alternative approaches
References
Chapter 3 CP violation, inflation, dark matter, and dark energy
3.1 Antimatter and CP violation
3.2 Inflation
3.3 History of the idea of dark matter
3.4 Dark matter and inconsistencies of the theory on galactic scales
3.5 Dark matter particles
3.6 Scenarios without non-baryonic cold dark matter
3.7 Dark energy and the cosmological constant or quintessence
3.8 Grey… neither dark nor luminous
References
Chapter 4 Redshift and expansion
4.1 Does redshift mean expansion?
4.1.1 Alternative redshift theories
4.2 Conceptual problems of expansion
4.3 Expansion on small scales
4.4 Hubble–Lemaître constant
4.5 Observational tests for the expansion of the Universe
4.6 Anomalous redshifts
4.6.1 Periodicity of redshifts
4.6.2 Proposed tests
4.6.3 Anomalous redshift in the laboratory and in the solar system
4.7 So … is the Universe expanding or not?
References
Chapter 5 The cosmic microwave background radiation
5.1 Early predictions and observations
5.2 Alternative explanations for the temperature of 2.7 K
5.3 Alternative origin of the CMBR
5.4 Microwave background radiation anisotropies
5.5 Some doubts on the validity of the foreground Galactic contribution subtraction from microwave anisotropies
5.6 Anomalies in the anisotropies
5.7 Other background radiations
5.8 How sure can we be of the standard interpretation of the CMBR?
References
Chapter 6 The abundance of light elements
6.1 Basic aspects of primordial nucleosynthesis
6.2 Helium-4
6.3 Lithium
6.4 Deuterium and helium-3
6.5 Abundances of other elements
6.6 Baryon fraction
6.7 Light element abundance without primordial nucleosynthesis
6.8 Light elements, weighty problems
References
Chapter 7 Large-scale-structure and the formation and evolution of galaxies
7.1 Reionization epoch
7.2 Formation and evolution of stars and galaxies in the early Universe
7.3 Large-scale structure
7.3.1 Theories
7.3.2 Departures from homogeneity and isotropy
7.3.3 Oversized structures
7.3.4 Clusters of galaxies
7.3.5 Oversized voids
7.3.6 Streaming velocities
7.3.7 BAO peak
7.3.8 Different cosmological parameters for CMBR analyses
7.4 Large-scale problems for the standard model
References
Chapter 8 Sociological factors that hinder the development of alternative cosmological models
8.1 Deduction and induction in modern cosmology
8.1.1 The methodology of science
8.1.2 The methodology of cosmology
8.2 Cosmological models and free parameters: new epicycles?
8.3 Social dynamics of an N-cosmologist system
8.3.1 The prestige of orthodoxy
8.3.2 Funding of cosmology
8.3.3 Telescope time
8.3.4 Rejection of papers and lack of citation
8.3.5 Censorship at arXiv.org
8.3.6 Conferences
8.3.7 Groupthink
8.4 Optimism and conservatism
8.4.1 Epistemological optimism
8.4.2 Conservatism and consensus cosmology
8.5 Pluralism
References
Chapter 9 Cosmology and culture
9.1 The influence of religion
9.1.1 Creation versus eternal Universe in western culture
9.1.2 Some authors connecting religion and modern cosmology
9.2 God, multiverse, or neither
9.2.1 Anthropic principles
9.2.2 God of the gaps
9.2.3 Fine-tuning
9.3 Binggeli’s Primum Mobile
9.4 Politics and the democratisation of cosmology
9.4.1 Prestige and entertainment
9.4.2 Cosmology influenced by the economy and social structure
9.4.3 Doctors of a new faith
9.4.4 Amateurs
9.5 Anglo-Saxon cultural colonialism
9.5.1 Analytical philosophy
9.5.2 Anglo-Saxon philosophy of cosmology
9.6 Cosmology as cultural expression
References
Chapter 10 Epilogue
10.1 Cosmology: science or myth?
10.1.1 Is a science of cosmology possible?
10.1.2 Is cosmology a pure myth?
10.2 Desiderata for broadened perspectives in cosmology
10.2.1 Openmindedness
10.2.2 Modesty
10.2.3 Patience
10.2.4 Funding and professionalism
10.2.5 Broad scientific and philosophical outlook
10.3 Some closing personal remarks
References
Appendix
A
A.1 Reproduction of previous texts by the author
A.2 Bibliography
