Universe: A Journey to the Edge of the Cosmos - Hardcover

Cheetham, Nicolas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1847246117 ISBN 13: 9781847246110

Publisher: Quercus Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

Using a wealth of high-resolution images collected by a fleet of telescopes, satellites and inter-planetary probes, UNIVERSE embarks on a voyage to the edge of the cosmos. After a fly past of our planetary neighbours we reach the edge of the solar system - a mere 15 light hours away - and emerge into interstellar space and head for the heart of our galaxy. The rhythms of stellar life unfold before our eyes: dark clouds of dust and gas blaze with clusters newly smelted stars, dying stars bloom and fade as planetary nebulae, or tear themselves apart as supernovae. Navigating through thick swarms of stars, we reach the galactic core, a gravitational maelstrom of exotic stars in the thrall of a supermassive black hole. Hundreds of thousands of light years must be covered to reach the Milky Way's companions, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, and millions more devoured before we cross true intergalactic space. Out here we watch the hidden lives of galaxies: we see them locked in gravitational combat, tearing each other apart or swallowing their companions whole. Now billions of light years from Earth, we can discern the large-scale structure of the universe: massive conglomerations of galaxies gather like grains of dust on a veil of cobwebs, warping space with their tremendous gravity. Having crossed an almost unimaginable 13.4 billion light years, we encounter a wall of radiation. Here our voyage into the cosmos must finally end, for we have reached the very edge of the visible universe: what stands before us is the afterglow of the Big Bang itself.

About this title

About the Author

ield is the author of four previous books of non-fiction exploring digital culture. Tom is also a fortnightly columnist for the BBC, a TED veteran, international speaker and broadcaster, and has worked with some of the world's leading technology firms. He took a doctorate and taught at St John's College, Oxford, before moving to write in London.

From the Back Cover

A grand tour of the cosmos from Earth to the edge of the universe and the dawn of time.
Fully up-to-date with 200 of the most dramatic astronomical images ever captured.

From the Inside Flap

Beginning on Earth, travel at the speed of light and explore remarkable planets, stars, nebulae, white dwarfs, supernovae, black holes and galaxies, before reaching the very edge of the universe.
Beautifully illustrated with over 200 colour photographs.
A spectacular tour of the cosmos, revealing the origins and astonishing features of the exotica that populate our universe.

Edition details

• Publisher: Quercus Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1847246117
• ISBN 13: 9781847246110
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224