Scientific American Book of the Cosmos Author:David Levy Contributors to this volume aim to provide the layperson with the fundamental concepts of cosmology - the science of the origin and structure of the universe. Topics covered include: the Big Bang Theory and the birth and expansion of the universe; the formation of galaxies; the creation of the Milky Way; star death and birth; the cration of the ... more »Solar System; the birth of our Sun and a tour of the nine planets; and an exploration of life on earth and the possibility of discovering intelligent extraterrestrial life elsewhere in the universe.« less