Our Cosmic Origins
Our Cosmic Origins
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Our Cosmic Origins, first published in 1998, traces the remarkable story of the emergence of life and intelligence right through the complex evolutionary history of the Universe. Armand Delsemme weaves together a rich tapestry of science, bringing together cosmology, astronomy, geology, biochemistry and biology in this wide-ranging book. In following the complex, chronological story, we discover how the first elements formed in the early Universe, how stars and planets were born, how the first bacteria evolved towards a plethora of plants and animals, and how the coupling of the eye and brain led to the development of self-awareness and, ultimately, intelligence. Professor Delsemme concludes with the tantalising suggestion that the existence of alien life and intelligence is likely, and examines our chances of contacting it. This provocative book provides the general reader with an accessible and wide-ranging account of how life evolved on Earth and how likely it is to exist elsewhere in the Universe.
- Internationally-renowned author, especially for his research on comets
- Multidisciplinary - weaves together cosmology, astronomy, geology, biochemistry and biology
- Aimed at New Scientist-type reader (quantitative throughout, but uses no maths)
Reviews & endorsements
"I know of no other book that covers in such detail for a popular audience the grand sweep of cosmic evolution from the Big Bang to homo sapiens. Readers will find here an answer to the age-old question of our place in the universe as understood by modern science." Steven J. Dick, US Naval Observatory
"Our Cosmic Origins is an exception. Delsemme, an expert in comets, has put together an impressive overview of the story of life from the start of the universe onward...Everything is clearly explained." Meteoritics & Planetary Science Nov 2001
"A thrilling book, a masterpiece..." Audouin Dollfus, former president of the Socie^D'te^D' Astronomique de France
"Delsemme offers a concise chronicle of the universe according to the big bang model." Booklist
"Thos book is highly recommended and once you start reading, it grips you like a good detective novel." Astrenautical Soc. of WA vol 24-No.5 Feb 99
Product details
- Published: March 2001
- Format: Paperback
- ISBN: 9780521794800
- Length: 344 pages
- Dimensions: 228 × 153 × 18 mm
- Weight: 0.571kg
- Contains: 47 b/w illus. 9 tables
- Availability: Available
Table of Contents
- Preface Christian de Duve
- Foreword
- 1. Locating man in the universe
- 2. The race towards complexity
- 3. The stellar alchemy of metals
- 4. The formation of the planets
- 5. Emergence of life
- 6. History of life
- 7. Awakening of intelligence
- 8. The other worlds
- 9. Perspectives
- Appendices
- Glossary
- References
- Name index
- Subject index.
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