The dark matter problem is a profoundly difficult to solve problem in the history of science. This book tells the story of the emergence of the dark matter problem, from the initial erroneous - discovery - of dark matter by Jan Oort to contemporary explanations for the nature of dark matter and its role in the origin and evolution of the Universe.
Written for the educated non-scientist and scientist alike, it spans a variety of scientific disciplines, from observational astronomy to particle physics. Concepts that the reader will encounter along the way are at the cutting edge of scientific research. However the themes are explained in such a way that no prior understanding of science beyond a high school education is necessary.
From the reviews:
"Foremost amongst our talents is deduction. Using logic and reasoning, a truth can be determined without direct evidence. Ken Freeman ands Geoff McNamara in their book ? showcase this talent. ? Given the state of unknown portrayed, this book would be a great tool to lure undergraduate students into the field of astronomy. ? Throughout, there are well appointed photographs to entice the reader ? . the book will bring fundamental answers about our existence and likely a lot of fame to the finder." (www.universetoday.com, December, 2006)
"Pinning down exactly how much dark matter there is in the Universe, and discovering what this enigmatic stuff is made of, has to be among the most important issues in modern astronomy. ? Arguments are presented simply ? so this is a read that is suitable for a beginner without patronizing those already familiar with many of the ideas. ? In Search of Dark Matter really is an excellent little book." (Alan Longstaff, Astronomy Now, September, 2006)
"'In Search of Dark Matter' has a textbook feel ? . It is a concise chronicle of the discovery of dark matter and the efforts to find out what it is and what part it plays in the Universe, from the Big Bang to the present." (Helen Close, Astronomy and Space, January, 2007)
"This little book (158 p.) is an excellent introduction for non-specialists to the search of dark matter, and more generally to modern observational cosmology. ? More than 30 illustrations, photographs and sketches, accompany the text, in a pleasant and effective way. ? The book is thus both accessible to readers with little academic training in physics, and useful to physicists to whom it provides a lot of information on this fascinating and rapidly expanding field. ? I warmly recommend it." (Pierre Marage, Physicalia Magazine, Vol. 29 (2), 2007)
