Preface. Introduction. PART 1: COSMOLOGICAL MODELS. First Principles. The Friedmann Models. Alternative Cosmologies. Observational Properties of the Universe. PART 2: THE HOT BIG BANG MODEL. Thermal History of the Hot Big Bang Model. The Very Early Universe. Phase Transitions and Inflation. The Lepton Era. The Plasma Era. PART 3: THEORY OF STRUCTURE FORMATION. Introduction to Jeans Theory. Gravitational Instability of Baryonic Matter. Non-Baryonic Matter. Cosmological Perturbations. Non-Linear Evolution. Models of Structure Formation PART 4: OBSERVATIONAL TESTS. Statistics of Galaxy Clustering. The Cosmic Microwave Background. Peculiar Motions of Galaxies. Gravitational Lensing. The High-Redshift Universe. A Forward Look. Appendices References. Index.

Cosmology: The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Structures, Second Edition, is a modern introduction to this fascinating and fast developing subject. The book provides a unique bridge between introductory and advanced material, starting with the elementary foundations of basic cosmological theory, to 'state-of-the-art' frontier research. Extensively revised and updated, the Second Edition includes the latest observational and theoretical developments. The book is fully illustrated throughout with completely updated references. Features: * Recent observational breakthroughs including high redshift supernovae, CMB measurements, gravitational lensing and galaxy studies. * The latest theoretical developments, such as supercomputer simulations and semi-analytical galaxy formation * Around 100 graded problems, ranging from basic cosmology to advanced topics. This book will be invaluable to advanced undergraduates and postgraduates taking cosmology courses and will also be a useful reference for researchers in the field.