Unfolding Our Universe

Unfolding Our Universe is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to astronomy. With a clear, crisp text and beautiful colour illustrations, it takes readers to the heart of the Universe - explaining the facts, concepts, methods and frontiers of astronomical science. The book can be read right through without referring to any mathematics. For the more ambitious reader, key points are developed in more detail and basic mathematics provided in self-contained boxes. A unique feature of Unfolding Our Universe is the careful balance it strikes between the basics of the subject and its frontiers. Step by step, it carefully assembles a complete understanding of astronomy. Full colour throughout and a very readable text make this book a delight for the casual reader to browse, while the clear and concise explanations will appeal to amateur astronomers, science teachers and college and university students seeking a no-nonsense introduction to astronomy.

The authors tell the epic story of the universe from an inspired new perspective, weaving the findings of modern science together with enduring wisdom found in the humanistic traditions of the West, China, India, and indigenous peoples. This book is part of a larger project that includes a documentary film, educational DVD series, and Web site.

This is a collection of twenty outstanding lectures ranging across the most active areas of astronomical research. In the series distinguished scientists, mostly British and American, and including three Nobel Laureates, present their work and perspectives on current developments.The lecturesthemselves vary in length and content, and while they invite scrutiny by the specialist, the bulk of the material is well within the reach of a third year undergraduate. The originality of thought, which is presented in vibrant and sometimes controversial terms, makes the Lectures a unique recordof trends in astrophysics during the last two decades.

The central theme of this book is understanding. Moreover, in a study of astronomy understanding has two facets that we can regard almost separately. One kind of understanding is to see why things behave as they do. The second kind concerns our own knowledge and how it develops. A humane study of astronomy should continually ask about our own ways of searching and knowing. This book expresses this view of astronomy.

Jo Dunkley combines her expertise as an astrophysicist with her talents as a writer and teacher to present an elegant introduction to the structure, history, and enduring mysteries of the universe. Among the cutting-edge phenomena discussed are the accelerating expansion of the universe and the possibility that our universe is only one of many.