Deconstructing Cosmology

The advent of sensitive high-resolution observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation and their successful interpretation in terms of the standard cosmological model has led to great confidence in this model's reality. The prevailing attitude is that we now understand the Universe and need only work out the details. In this book, Sanders traces the development and successes of Lambda-CDM, and argues that this triumphalism may be premature. The model's two major components, dark energy and dark matter, have the character of the pre-twentieth-century luminiferous aether. While there is astronomical evidence for these hypothetical fluids, their enigmatic properties call into question our assumptions of the universality of locally determined physical law. Sanders explains how modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) is a significant challenge for cold dark matter. Overall, the message is hopeful: the field of cosmology has not become frozen, and there is much fundamental work ahead for tomorrow's cosmologists.

• Clearly explains the prevailing Lambda-CDM cosmological paradigm and how it has developed, in particular those observations supporting it and its overall consistency
• Describes the wide range and variety of dark matter search programs to demonstrate the ongoing research efforts of scientists exploring the possible nature of dark matter
• Details the greatest problem for the cosmological paradigm, modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND), and how this challenges it
• Discusses the sociological and philosophical issues posed by the paradigm and the danger of this sociology for the creative process in science