The Big Questions series enables renowned experts to tackle the 20 most fundamental and frequently asked questions of a major branch of science or philosophy. Each 3000-word essay simply and concisely examines a question that has eternally perplexed enquiring minds, providing answers from history's great thinkers. This ambitious project is a unique distillation of humanity's best ideas. In Big Questions: The Universe, Dr Stuart Clark tackles the 20 key questions of astronomy and cosmology:
- What is the universe? How big is the universe?
- How old is the universe? What are stars made from?
- How did the universe form? Why do planets stay in orbit?
- Was Einstein right? What are black holes?
- How did the Earth form? What were the first celestial objects?
- What is dark matter? What is dark energy?
- Are we really made from stardust? Is there life on Mars?
- Are there other intelligent beings? Can we travel through time and space?
- Can the laws of physics change? Are there alternative universes?
- What will be the fate of the universe? Is there cosmological evidence for God?
