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==Personal history==
==Personal history==


Lerner was born in 1947 in [[Brookline, Massachusetts]], and received a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in [[physics]] from [[Columbia University]].<ref>Columbia Alumni Directory, 1988 edition, p.211</ref> After doing graduate studies in physics at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]],<ref>Biography at the [http://thespaceshow.com/guest.asp?q=342 Space Show], 2006</ref> he pursued a career in popular science writing.
Lerner was born in 1947 in [[Brookline, Massachusetts]], and received a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in [[physics]] from [[Columbia University]].<ref>Columbia Alumni Directory, 1988 edition, p.211</ref> After doing graduate studies in physics at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]] though not receiving a degree,<ref>Biography at the [http://thespaceshow.com/guest.asp?q=342 Space Show], 2006</ref> he pursued a career in popular science writing.


In 1984, he began studying [[plasma (physics)|plasma]] [[phenomena]] and laboratory fusion devices, performing experimental work on the [[dense plasma focus]]. Lerner received funding from NASA's [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] in 1994 and 2001 to explore whether the dense plasma focus could be an effective [[ion thruster]] to propel spacecraft.<ref>Kenneth Chang, [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/27/science/27fusion.html?_r=3&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1172588880-XacSLlMti1+1/2yzSxBbsA&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin "Practical Fusion, or Just a Bubble?"], New York Times, Feb. 27, 2007</ref><ref>[http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/23572/1/96-0007.pdf JPL Contract 959962], pg 8, and JPL Contract 960283</ref> He believes that it can also be used to produce useful [[aneutronic fusion]] energy.<ref name=Huyghe>Patrick Huyghe, [http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jun/29-3-ideas-that-are-pushing-the-edge-of-science "3 Ideas That Are Pushing the Edge of Science"], Discover Magazine, June 2008</ref>
In 1984, he began studying [[plasma (physics)|plasma]] [[phenomena]] and laboratory fusion devices, performing experimental work on the [[dense plasma focus]]. Lerner received funding from NASA's [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] in 1994 and 2001 to explore whether the dense plasma focus could be an effective [[ion thruster]] to propel spacecraft.<ref>Kenneth Chang, [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/27/science/27fusion.html?_r=3&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1172588880-XacSLlMti1+1/2yzSxBbsA&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin "Practical Fusion, or Just a Bubble?"], New York Times, Feb. 27, 2007</ref><ref>[http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/23572/1/96-0007.pdf JPL Contract 959962], pg 8, and JPL Contract 960283</ref> He believes that it can also be used to produce useful [[aneutronic fusion]] energy.<ref name=Huyghe>Patrick Huyghe, [http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jun/29-3-ideas-that-are-pushing-the-edge-of-science "3 Ideas That Are Pushing the Edge of Science"], Discover Magazine, June 2008</ref>

Revision as of 05:21, 30 December 2008

File:Lerner at google.jpg
Lerner at a Google TechTalks presentation in 2007

Eric J. Lerner is a popular science writer, independent plasma researcher,[1] and serves as the executive director of the Focus Fusion Society and president of Lawrenceville Plasma Physics, Inc.[2] He is an advocate of plasma cosmology,[3] a nonstandard cosmology, and authored the 1991 book, The Big Bang Never Happened, which advocated his alternative to the dominant Big Bang theory.

Personal history

Lerner was born in 1947 in Brookline, Massachusetts, and received a BA in physics from Columbia University.[4] After doing graduate studies in physics at the University of Maryland, College Park though not receiving a degree,[5] he pursued a career in popular science writing.

In 1984, he began studying plasma phenomena and laboratory fusion devices, performing experimental work on the dense plasma focus. Lerner received funding from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1994 and 2001 to explore whether the dense plasma focus could be an effective ion thruster to propel spacecraft.[6][7] He believes that it can also be used to produce useful aneutronic fusion energy.[8]

Lerner is a critic of the Big Bang model and advocates an infinitely old Universe.[9] In 2006 he accepted an invitation to be a Visiting Scientist at the European Southern Observatory in Chile, offered at the initiative of fellow Big Bang critic and MOND enthusiast Riccardo Scarpa.[10]

Lerner is also an active general science writer, estimating that he has had about 600 articles published. He has received journalism awards between 1984 and 1993 from the Aviation Space Writers Association.[11]

The Big Bang Never Happened

File:Big-bang-never-happened.jpg
Lerner's 1991 book, The Big Bang Never Happened

The Big Bang Never Happened: A Startling Refutation of the Dominant Theory of the Origin of the Universe (1991) is Lerner's controversial book repudiating mainstream Big Bang cosmology and advancing instead a non-standard plasma cosmology originally proposed by Hannes Alfven in the 1960s.

In this work, Lerner claims that the Big Bang theory is inconsistent with empirical data[12][13] and asserts that plasma cosmology provides a model of the universe more consistent with observable physical laws than the big bang:

The phenomena that the Big Bang seeks to explain with a mysterious ancient catacylsm, plasma theories attribute to electrical and magnetic processes occurring in the universe today.[14]

He proposes a model of thermodynamics which he attributes in part to the work of Ilya Prigogine under which the universe has no definite age[15] and continually increases in order.[16]

The book received unfavorable reviews from professional cosmologists.[17][18][19][20] Paul Davies reviewed the book for the New York Times and found it to be unsatisfactory. The newspaper published a rebuttal by Lerner which was itself criticized by Arno A. Penzias, winner of the 1978 Nobel Prize for Physics:

"The sizes of the vast ribbons of galaxies that Eric J. Lerner refers to come straight out of the Big Bang model itself.... Contrary to Mr. Lerner's claim, therefore, the 'simple mathematics' he cites rests upon, rather than contradicts the Big Bang model."[18]

Subsequent to this, Davies himself responded to Lerner's criticism[19] of his review:

'"It seems to me that the theory proposed by Mr. Lerner has serious problems in relation to thermodynamics. This is merely my professional opinion, for what it is worth. Others can judge for themselves.... I accept that Mr. Lerner's book reports work that is largely due to Hannes Alfven, but this does not render it immune from criticism."[19]

Victor J. Stenger, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Hawaii, criticized Lerner's book in a 1992 edition of the popular magazine, Skeptical Inquirer.[20] Professor Edward L. Wright of UCLA stated that there are several errors of fact in the book;[17] Lerner disputed this review on his website.[21] Sean M. Carroll has also written a critique of Lerner's advocacy.[22]

The book also received favorable reviews from a number of reviewers who were not professional cosmologists.[23]

References

  1. ^ John Wilford, "Novel Theory Challenges The Big Bang", New York Times, February 28, 1989
  2. ^ See Personnel listed on the Web site for Lawrenceville Plasma Physics, Inc.
  3. ^ H. Ratcliffe, "The First Crisis in Cosmology Conference" (PDF), Progress in Physics (Oct 2005)
  4. ^ Columbia Alumni Directory, 1988 edition, p.211
  5. ^ Biography at the Space Show, 2006
  6. ^ Kenneth Chang, "Practical Fusion, or Just a Bubble?", New York Times, Feb. 27, 2007
  7. ^ JPL Contract 959962, pg 8, and JPL Contract 960283
  8. ^ Patrick Huyghe, "3 Ideas That Are Pushing the Edge of Science", Discover Magazine, June 2008
  9. ^ Marcus Chown, "Did the Big Bang Really Happen?", New Scientist, 2 July 2005
  10. ^ ESO Senior Visits in 2006, activities, and ESO Santiago Science Colloquia and Seminars 2006
  11. ^ Lerner estimates he has had about 600 articles published, in article such as Discover,[1] and Industrial Physicist.[2]
  12. ^ Eric Lerner, "The Big Bang Never Happened", page 12
  13. ^ Eric Lerner, "The Big Bang Never Happened", page 13
  14. ^ Eric Lerner, "The Big Bang Never Happened", page 14
  15. ^ Eric Lerner, "The Big Bang Never Happened", footnote on page 388
  16. ^ Eric Lerner, "The Big Bang Never Happened", pages 286-316
  17. ^ a b Wright, Edward L. "Errors in "The Big Bang Never Happened"
  18. ^ a b "Big Bang Theory Makes Sense of Cosmic Facts; No Contradiction", New York Times, June 18, 1991
  19. ^ a b c "Did the Big Bang Happen?", New York Times, Sep 1, 1991
  20. ^ a b Stenger, Victor J. (Summer 1992). "Is the Big Bang a Bust?". Skeptical Inquirer. 16 (412).
  21. ^ "The Big Bang Never Happened: Dr. Wright is Wrong". Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  22. ^ Sean Carroll offers a direct critique of these alternatives on his blog Preposterous Universe
  23. ^ "Editorial Reviews". Amazon.com.
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