Includes bibliographical references (p. 275-276) and index.
Contents:
Cosmology through its past -- The three pillars of the Big Bang theory -- The visible universe -- Dark matter -- A map of the universe -- How did galaxies come into existence? -- The weight, shape, and fate of the universe -- The search for light in the dark ages -- Observing the first galaxies -- Cosmic archaeology -- Looking ahead in wonder : telescopes at the cosmic frontier -- Tour de force : the James Webb telescope.
Summary:
The visible universe consists of stars and galaxies. One of the challenges of astronomy is to understand how galaxies and stars first came into existence over thirteen billion years ago. This book tells the story of our quest to solve this problem. Four hundred years after Galileo used his telescope to discover the moons of Jupiter, we are using new telescopes and instruments to search for the first galaxies to form after the Big Bang. This book brings the reader to the current frontier of this subject and lays out some of the exciting developments we can expect in the years to come.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.