This book addresses foundational questions raised by observational and theoretical progress in modern cosmology. As the foundational volume of an emerging academic discipline, experts from relevant fields lay out the fundamental problems of contemporary cosmology and explore the routes toward finding possible solutions, for a broad academic audience.

The exploration of the Universe, as conducted by physicists, astronomers, and cosmologists was one of the greatest intellectual adventures of the mid-twentieth century. This book, first published in 1971, tells the story of their achievements and the insight gained into the structure, history, working and scale of our Universe. Dr Sciama describes the major components of the Universe as understood at the beginning of the 1970s: the stars, galaxies, radio-galaxies and quasi-stellar objects. He discusses in detail the red shift of the lines in their optical spectra, which leads to the idea that the Universe is expanding. Theoretical discussion of the expanding Universe suggests the possibility that intergalactic space may contain a significant quantity of matter and be the seat of important physical activity. The issues involved are thoroughly debated. Also discussed is the discover and significance of the 3'K' cosmic microwave radiation, its relation to the hot big bang and the helium problem, to cosmic high energy processes and to questions of isotropy.

Viewed as a flashpoint of the Scientific Revolution, early modern astronomy witnessed a virtual explosion of ideas about the nature and structure of the world. This study explores these theories in a variety of intellectual settings, challenging our view of modern science as a straightforward successor to Aristotelian natural philosophy. It shows how astronomers dealt with celestial novelties by deploying old ideas in new ways and identifying more subtle notions of cosmic rationality. Beginning with the celestial spheres of Peurbach and ending with the evolutionary implications of the new star Mira Ceti, it surveys a pivotal phase in our understanding of the universe as a place of constant change that confirmed deeper patterns of cosmic order and stability.

Excerpt from Cosmologia Sacra, or a Discourse of the Universe as It Is the Creature and Kingdom of God: Chiefly Written, to Demonstrate the Truth and Excellency of the Bible, Which Contains the Laws of His Kingdom in This Lower World; In Five Books The hardel't Queliion I have been asked, is this, Do'. You think'to Damm up the Thames? Lanfwer, No: yet a Bridg may be laid over it. And this too, may be It) far from Stemming the Tide, as only to ciufe it to make a'greater Noife. But as the Bridg may not be able to flop the Tide, fo, I trui't, the Tide, fhall never be able to beat down the Bridge, but that many will hereby. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The main objective of this book on cosmology and theology is to reassess the current approach to research in the field of interaction, mediation, and dialogue between modern cosmology and Christian theology (Eastern Orthodox theology in particular). This project was part of wide-ranging cross-disciplinary research undertaken by scientists, philosophers, and theologians across the world within the framework of Science & Orthodoxy around the World, run by the National Hellenic Research Foundation (Athens) from 2019 to 2023. The project and this publication contribute to the large-scale academic activity in the field of science and religion (or science and theology) with a particular accent on the contribution of Eastern Orthodox theology to this dialogue, as well as to the venues of advancement of this theology given the recent breakthroughs in cosmology, physics, and philosophy. The book also underlines the importance of expressing cosmological ideas theologically, symbolically, and scientifically in the wide context of culture and humanity’s sociopolitical and environmental predicaments.