Stars and Atoms: From the Big Bang to the Solar System

by Stuart Clark

This innovative reference work presents the concepts of modern astronomy and cosmology in terms that are uniquely informative and accessible. Through its clear, concise test, dramatic illustrations, and easy-to-use format, the book discusses the discoveries that have led to giant strides in
our understanding of the universe, its origin, evolution, and eventual fate. This exciting story is one of amazing technical advances, including new super-computer modeling approaches and the Hubble Space Telescope, that are permitting scientists to probe deeper than ever into the mysteries of
space, witnessing events and phenomena close to the beginning of time itself. The book begins with the even more startling story of the connection between astronomy and particle physics, and how scientists have learned much about the universe by studying the laws and behavior of the subatomic
realm. The second section discusses the Big Bang theory, the beginning of time, the creation of matter, and the expanding universe. The following sections examine the nature of galaxies, quasars, and the myriad varieties of stars, including neutron stars and black holes, the most bizarre enigma in
nature. The volume concludes with a discussion of the perplexing problem of the missing mass and the search for dark matter, with a look at what the future holds for interstellar travel and the possibility of finding life outside our solar system. This thematic presentation is supported by a
400-entry keyword section, in which all terms and concepts are clearly and simply explained, and a factfile at the end of the book that offers essential reference material on stellar astronomy and astrophysics.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 1995

About the author

Journalist, award-winning author and broadcaster, Stuart Clark is a brilliant storyteller. Fiction or non-fiction, his work is written with conviction and with passion. In recent years, he has devoted his career to presenting the complex and dynamic world of astronomy to the general public.

His latest work is the pioneering trilogy The Sky's Dark Labyrinth. In the way that CJ Sansom's hugely successful Shardlake series marries crime writing with popular history, so The Sky's Dark Labyrinth trilogy blends gripping, original historical fiction with popular science.

Stuart holds a first-class honours degree and a phd in astrophysics. A Visiting Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire, he is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a former Vice Chair of the Association of British Science Writers. But it was his first work of narrative nonfiction, The Sun Kings, that established him as a popular science writer par excellence. Without fail the reviews, ranging from Nature to Bookslut.com, remarked on his exceptional storytelling ability and sheer verve of his writing. It was shortlisted by the Royal Society for their 2008 general science book prize, it won Italy's 2009 Montselice Prize for best scientific translation, and the Association of American Publishers 2007 Professional and Scholarly Publishing Award for Excellence in the Cosmology and Astronomy category.

Stuart is a regular contributor to national and international radio and television programmes and dvd productions. He frequently lectures throughout the UK and, increasingly, throughout the world.