Big Bang - Hardcover

Couper, Heather

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0751354929 ISBN 13: 9780751354928

Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, 1997

Synopsis

How did the universe begin? Once the ultimate mystery, all the evidence now points to our universe being born in circumstances of unimaginable power and fury, called the Big Bang. This event not only created the universe, but the whole of space and time. This work explains those dramatic few moments, bringing the origin of the universe firmly down to earth. It takes the reader on a journey through time, following the universe from its birth and youth to old age and death. On the way, it tackles such concepts as "How do we know there was a Big Bang?", "Is there an edge to the universe?" and primordial black holes. It is the sister volume to "Black Holes".

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up. This oversized, beautifully illustrated book explains how the universe may have been created. With new, high-tech tools such as the particle accelerator, scientists have been able to put together evidence that its birth started some 13 billion years ago. Arranged chronologically, this account begins "when there was no space, and there was no time" and takes readers through the origin of our universe to predictions for the far future. Two pages are set aside for a brief description of creation myths from six different cultures. These pages fold out to form an illustrated four-page time line. While the authors present information that is current, authoritative, and generally clear, some prior knowledge of astronomy and/or cosmology will be helpful to understand fully many of the complex terms and concepts. The layout is similar to that of the publisher's other science books; the pages tend to be a bit cluttered, which detracts from their readability. Still, this book will certainly fill a need for up-to-date material presented in a visually stunning package.?Linda Wadleigh, Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. The dramatic jacket graphics, with the words "Big Bang" in shiny silver exploding from the central circle of light, will attract readers. Only the most determined will stick with the text to the end, but that doesn't mean they won't pick up something mindstretching along the way. On each double-page spread is a large, colorful painting, usually accompanied by several smaller paintings or photos or both. In short blocks of text, sidebars, and captions (which all presuppose some knowledge of science and a pretty good vocabulary), Couper and Henbest explain what the big bang theory is, what it means in understanding the universe, what it implies for the future, and what various astronomers and physicists have achieved. An enthusiastic and visually dynamic, though sometimes confusing, offering on a complex topic that few books even attempt to present to children. Carolyn Phelan

About this edition

• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0751354929
• ISBN 13: 9780751354928
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 45