The View from the Center of the Universe: Discovering Our Extraordinary Place in the Cosmos

Abstract

1st Riverhead trade pbk ed. Draws on scientific research and recent discoveries in the fields of astronomy, physics, and cosmology to argue that humans are central to the universe in profound and important ways that are directly related to science. pt. 1. Cosmological revolutions: Wrapping your mind around the universe ; From the flat Earth to the heavenly spheres ; From the center of the universe to no place special -- pt. 2. The new scientific picture of the universe: What is the universe made of? : the cosmic density pyramid ; What is the center of the universe? : the cosmic spheres of time ; What size is the universe? : the cosmic uroboros ; Where do we come from? : the cosmic Las Vegas ; Are we alone? : the possibility of alien wisdom -- pt. 3. The meaningful universe: Think cosmically, act globally ; Taking our extraordinary place in the cosmos.