A Quick History of the Universe : From the Big Bang to Just Now

Strap in for a rip-roaring ride through the history of the universe, starting with the Big Bang, and bringing us right up to present day. What was the universe like when it was a few seconds old? How had it changed by its millionth birthday? And when did time even start, for that matter?! The story of the last 13.8 billion years in one handy volume, you can read about the start of stars, the growth of galaxies and the production of planets. Plus, there are some great dad jokes. Hold on tight... Read the story of how the universe developed, and discover: In the beginning there was... what exactly? What was the beginning of the universe actually like?Some suns have just got that star quality... but which stars are really hot stuff?Who's who in the galactic zoo?There are several different types of galaxy in the universe. How do they form?The tragic death of the star – how do stars die, and why?What's blacker than black... a black hole!Peek into the future – what will the universe be like in the next few billion years?How do we even know this stuff? Read about the scientists who are figuring it all out. Packed with fun cartoons and facts, A Quick History of the Universe tackles the biggest topic in the universe – literally – in chronological order. Before you know it, you'll be an expert on the history of space, the universe and everything. Cover Half Title Title Copyrtight CONTENTS INTRODUCTION IN THE BEGINNING How it all got started BLINK OF AN EYE What was the Universe like at the very start? THE FIRST SECONDS Things change very quickly WHAT'S THE MATTER? The start of stuff GET ATOM! How atoms began to form GETTING BIGGER The Universe continues to expand TIME FOR TIME The beginning of time itself FEEL THE FORCE Gravity, electromagnetism, and strong and weak nuclear forces A MATTER OF GRAVITY Gravity’s role in making the Universe PHOTON BOOTH Understanding photons IN A FOG How free electrons blocked the movement of light RECOMBINATION Protons and electrons join together COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND How a background buzz helped prove the Big Bang DARK MATTER What is it? IN THE DARK The Cosmic Dark Age, where nothing happened YOU STAR! How protostars became stars COSMIC DAWN How early stars flooded the Universe with light HERE'S CARBON! More and more elements form TURNING CLOUDY Understanding nebulae GALAXIES GET IT TOGETHER The first galaxies form HOW MANY STARS? Counting the stars in the Universe STAR QUALITY How different types of stars are categorised THE GALACTIC ZOO Different Shapes of Galaxy GALAXIES GANG UP How galaxies form superclusters LOOKING BACK How looking at objects in space is looking through time THE TRAGIC DEATH OF THE STAR What happens to stars when they run out of fuel LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG The different lifespans of stars WHAT'S BLACKER THAN BLACK? All about black holes PACKING IT ALL IN All about neutron stars FULL SPEED AHEAD The Universe’s expansion HELLO, SOLAR SYSTEM! How our solar system formed PLANET PLANS How the planets came together THE GREAT EIGHT All about the planets in our solar system MOONING AROUND All about moons MORE ON MOONS Other moons in our solar system ASTEROIDS What is an asteroid? METEOR-WHAT? The difference between meteors, meteoroids and meteorites HAIRY STARS All about comets EARLY EARTH What our planet was like in the beginning BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO How the continents formed LIFE'S A GAS! An atmosphere supports life on our planet GET MORE LIFE More and more creatures evolve HEY PEOPLE, YOU'RE LATE! Human beings evolve PLANETS EVERYWHERE Exoplanets in other solar systems ARE WE ALONE? Could aliens exist? THE END OF THE WORLD How planet Earth will eventually end HOW WILL THE UNIVERSE END? Competing theories for the destruction of the Universe RIPPED OR CRUNCHED? Other ideas for how it might all end HOW WE KNOW WHAT WE KNOW The science and technology that we use to understand the Universe SIZING IT UP Light years and the phenomenal size of the Universe SPACE EXPLORATION TIMELINE SPACE PLACES Cool space-y places to visit right here on Earth TO INFINITY...AND BEYOND! Further reading and resources COSMIC QUIZ GLOSSARY COSMIC QUIZ ANSWERS INDEX A B C D E G H I M N O P R S T U W A Quick History Of The Universe Takes A Whistlestop Tour Through - Funnily Enough - The History Of The Universe, From The Big Bang To Right Now. The Narrative Text And Cartoons Cover All You Need To Know About Space, Forces And Physics.