Books in Mysteries of Space series

Cosmic inflation is the theory that the early universe went through fast, exponential expansion for a fraction of a second after the Big Bang and then slowed down to the current rate of expansion. Simplified explanations of complex scientific concepts such as dark energy, dark matter, and the cosmic microwave background and dynamic images will help students comprehend how the study of cosmic inflation has reshaped our understanding of how the universe was born, evolved, and might be in the future. This book correlates with the Next Generation Science Standards' emphasis on scientific collection and analysis of data and evidence-based theories. Informative sidebars explore related timely topics in depth, while a Further Reading section provides several resources for additional study.

"For many years, it was accepted as fact that our solar system had nine planets. However, one important meeting of astronomers in 2006 reduced that number to eight. They decided that Pluto was not a planet, a declaration that outraged some people. Readers will learn more about distant Pluto, such as how it was accidentally discovered. Brilliant photographs accompany the fascinating facts"--Provided by publisher.

The Big Bang theory describes the very beginnings of the universe, when it was infinitesimally small and infinitely dense, and follows its rapid expansion and evolution, from the formation of nuclei within the first few minutes to the creation of the first galaxies a billion years later. The Big Bang theory is a cornerstone of modern cosmology, and although astronomers cannot directly observe the birth of the universe, the theory is widely accepted because it makes concrete predictions of the current observable universe, which have been tested repeatedly with striking success. Supporting the Next Generation Science Standards' emphasis on scientific collection and analysis of data and evidence-based theories, this book will help students understand the observational evidence supporting the Big Bang theory and speculate on the ultimate fate of the universe it implies.

On December 26, 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected gravitational waves generated from merging black holes for the first time in human history. Through an engaging, easily accessible approach, the origins, dynamics, and ultimate fate of black holes are thoroughly unraveled so that students without a scientific background can grasp complex physics theories. This book supports the Next Generation Science Standards' emphasis on scientific collection and analysis of data and evidence-based theories by discussing the methods research universities and space agencies use to explore black holes.

The Standard Model explains how the universe works at distances a billion times smaller than the size of an atom. However, in the Standard Model, none of the particles have mass, yet one only has to look around to see that things do have mass. Explaining the source of mass has been the goal of particle physicists for over half a century, culminating in the discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider in 2012. Supporting the Next Generation Science Standards' emphasis on scientific collection and analysis of data and evidence-based theories, this book simplifies the difficult concept of the Higgs mechanism through analogies to everyday experiences as well as pictures, diagrams, and intuitive explanations.

On December 26, 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected gravitational waves generated from merging black holes for the first time in human history. Through an engaging, easily accessible approach, the origins, dynamics, and ultimate fate of black holes are thoroughly unraveled so that students without a scientific background can grasp complex physics theories. This book supports the Next Generation Science Standards' emphasis on scientific collection and analysis of data and evidence-based theories by discussing the methods research universities and space agencies use to explore black holes.

"In September of 2015, the scientific world was buzzing: gravitational waves had been detected. It was a dramatic and conclusive demonstration of Einstein's theory of general relativity--the most complex and far-reaching theory in the history of physics. Through detailed diagrams, relatable analogies, and informative sidebars, this text cuts through the complexity and sophistication, providing an accessible introduction to the physics of waves, the implications of general relativity, and the ways in which gravitational waves can bring new understanding of the universe around us."--

"Since the time of Einstein, ideas of parallel universes have grown from far-out concepts to mature scientific theories. Using everyday analogies and do-it-yourself models to simplify intimidating concepts, students will learn about the most fascinating topics in modern cosmology, such as the big bang theory, inflation, wormholes, and higher dimensions. Student learning is enhanced by illuminating diagrams and informative sidebars that explore related timely topics in depth. This book supports the Next Generation Science Standards' emphasis on evidence-based theories by discussing past observations and future tests of each parallel universe theory."--

"Dark energy is a mysterious force causing the universe to expand in an accelerating manner. Although Edwin Hubble discovered observational proof of expansion in 1929, the first direct evidence for dark energy came from supernova observations in the late 1990s. Untangling complex physics theories with accessible language, informative sidebars, and captivating imagery, this text explores the development and evaluation of scientific theories behind dark energy. Students will learn about the tools and methods scientists use to unravel dark energy's origins, dynamics, and effects on the universe"--

Scientists believe that the universe is mostly made up of dark matter, a mysterious substance that is different from the ordinary matter people can touch, smell, see, and interact with. Dark matter cannot be directly observed, but it can be studied by examining its effect on ordinary matter. Simplified explanations of complex scientific concepts and fascinating images will help students understand how physicists employ Kepler's laws of planetary motion, gravitational lensing, particle colliders, and other theories and tools to learn about dark matter. Informative sidebars explore related timely topics in depth, while a Further Reading section provides several resources for additional study.

Since the time of Einstein, ideas of parallel universes have grown from far-out concepts to mature scientific theories. Using everyday analogies and do-it-yourself models to simplify intimidating concepts, students will learn about the most fascinating topics in modern cosmology, such as the big bang theory, inflation, wormholes, and higher dimensions. Student learning is enhanced by illuminating diagrams and informative sidebars that explore related timely topics in depth. This book supports the Next Generation Science Standards' emphasis on evidence-based theories by discussing past observations and future tests of each parallel universe theory.