The New Cosmos

Answering Astronomy's Big Questions

David J. Eicher

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN:
  9781107068858
• eBook ISBN:
  9781316560228
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Astronomy & Astrophysics

Over the past decade, astronomers, planetary scientists, and cosmologists have answered - or are closing in on the answers to - some of the biggest questions about the universe. David J. Eicher presents a spectacular exploration of the cosmos that provides a balanced and precise view of the latest discoveries. Detailed and entertaining narratives on compelling topics such as how the Sun will die, the end of life on Earth, why Venus turned itself inside-out, the Big Bang Theory, the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, and the meaning of life in the universe are supported by numerous color illustrations including photos, maps and explanatory diagrams. In each chapter the author sets out the scientific history of a specific question or problem, before tracing the modern observations and evidence in order to solve it. Join David J. Eicher on this fascinating journey through the cosmos!

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title page
• Copyright information
• Dedication
• Table of contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1 The awakening of astronomy
• Chapter 2 How the Sun will die
• Chapter 3 The end of life on Earth
• Chapter 4 How the Moon formed
• Chapter 5 Where has all the water gone?
• Chapter 6 Why did Venus turn inside-out?
• Chapter 7 Is Pluto a planet?
• Chapter 8 Planets everywhere . . .
• Chapter 9 The Milky Way as barred spiral
• Chapter 10 Here comes Milkomeda
• Chapter 11 The Big Bang's cosmic echo
• Chapter 12 How large is the universe?
• Chapter 13 The mystery of dark matter
• Chapter 14 The bigger mystery of dark energy
• Chapter 15 Black holes are ubiquitous
• Chapter 16 What is the universe's fate?
• Chapter 17 The meaning of life in the universe
• Glossary
• Bibliography
• Index