Do you want to learn about the physical origin of the Universe, but dont have the rest of eternity to read up on it? Do you want to know what scientists know about where you and your planet came from, but without the science blinding you? Course you do and who better than
For Dummies to tackle the biggest, strangest and most wonderful question there is!
The Origins of the Universe For Dummies covers:
Early ideas about our universeModern cosmologyBig Bang theoryDark matter and gravityGalaxies and solar systemsLife on earthFinding life elsewhereThe Universes forecast
Introduction 1
Part I: In the Beginning: Early Ideas About Our Universe 7
Chapter 1: Exploring the Early Universe 9
Chapter 2: Looking Up at the Stars: Early Beliefs 17
Chapter 3: The Apple Drops: Newton, Gravity, and the Rotation of the Planets 27
Part II: Modern Cosmology: Going Off with a Bang 49
Chapter 4: Bending the Universe: Magnets and Gravity 51
Chapter 5: Measuring the Universe 73
Chapter 6: Cooking Up a Big Bang 95
Chapter 7: Letting It Rise: Expanding and Inflating the Universe 107
Chapter 8: Thinking Differently About the Universe 119
Part III: Building Your Own Universe 129
Chapter 9: Building Things from Scratch 131
Chapter 10: Forcing the Pace: The Roles of Natural Forces in the Universe 153
Chapter 11: Shedding Light on Dark Matter and Pinging Strings 169
Chapter 12: Playing with the Universes Chemistry Set 181
Chapter 13: Making Stars, Solar Systems, Galaxies, and More 197
Chapter 14: Giving Birth to Life 211
Chapter 15: Travelling Through Time 225
Part IV: Asking the Tough Questions 239
Chapter 16: Explaining the Unexplainable 241
Chapter 17: Finding Life Elsewhere 253
Chapter 18: Coming to an End 265
Part V: The Part of Tens 275
Chapter 19: Ten Different Beliefs about the Origins of the Universe 277
Chapter 20: Ten Greatest Cosmological Advances 285
Appendix: Understanding Scientific Units and Equations 295
Index 303
