The New Cosmos
Answering Astronomy's Big Questions

A fascinating and spectacular exploration of the cosmos that provides readers with a definitive view of the latest discoveries.

David J. Eicher (Author), Alex Filippenko (Foreword by)

9781107068858, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 December 2015

295 pages, 90 colour illus.
25.2 x 19.7 x 1.8 cm, 0.89 kg

'If you want to know what happens when the Sun dies, or wish to understand such puzzles as the true nature of black holes and the long-term fate of the universe, then you should be reading this book. In clear and authoritative prose, David Eicher offers readers a wonderful set of answers to the most consequential questions in astronomy. It's an impressively comprehensive treatment of the biggest subject of all - the cosmos.' Seth Shostak, SETI Institute, California

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!

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

Subject Areas: Popular astronomy & space [WNX], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Mathematics & science [P]