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- How ancient people perceived the universe
- Secrets of the universe hidden in starlight
- About the origins of life, from cells to galaxies
- How is the search for life beyond Earth going
Table of contents
first KEY POINT
From magic to education: how people explained the universe before science
Aristotle and Isaac Newton walked into a bar after arguing about what happens when an object falls to the ground. Each had a specific opinion: Aristotle believed that four basic elements — earth, water, fire, and air — make up everything on Earth, and objects made of the Earth move to the center of the universe, then fall to the ground. He considered our planet the center because he thought all celestial bodies moved around it.Newton was more interested in the object's mass. He knew that all things on Earth obey the law of gravity; therefore, every thrown object will fall to the ground precisely because of it. Newton stated that due to gravity, two objects thrown at the same time would reach the ground simultaneously, but Aristotle was sure that the one with a larger amount of the earth element would fall first. They dropped an expensive bottle of bourbon and a coin and saw them fall simultaneously. So, Aristotle paid for the bourbon.This anecdote illustrates how differently people imagined our universe. In 150 A.D., Claudius Ptolemy described the ancient Greek views on the universe's structure in his astronomical book Almagest. He claimed there were seven celestial bodies: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Sun, and the Moon. He did not define Earth as a planet but as the indestructible center of space and home for all living things (as Aristotle believed). The ancient Greeks did not imagine the possibility of extraterrestrial life and another “Earth,” and they also thought that all celestial bodies were smooth, ideal spheres made of specific material. In the 15th century, knowledge about the structure of the universe was developing; for example, people hardly believed that the Earth was flat.
If the planet were flat, darkness would descend on it simultaneously in different parts of the world.
Enjoy this summary if you are a fan of science, cannot imagine your life without space, or just want to take the first steps in understanding your place in the universe. Join the spaceship, and let's find out what lies between the stars.
second KEY POINT
Finding our place in space: history-changing milestones
We first need to determine space’s size and how large it is compared to Earth in order to understand our place in it. In medieval people’s imagination, even after Copernicus' discovery of the Sun as the center of our universe, space seemed to be a small, cozy place until Galileo Galilei turned his telescope to space in 1610. When scientists measured the distance to Mars for the first time in 1672, ideas about space changed: it became much larger, and Earth began to seem much less prominent.If you want to calculate how far different objects are from Earth, use the parallax method. We can apply this method in everyday life when we alternately look at an object with the right and left eyes. Due to the shift in points of view, the pictures will differ — this is parallax. Let's imagine scientists want to measure the distance to the Moon. To do this, two researchers (like two eyes) fix the edge of the Moon at a certain angular distance from any pre-selected star. Knowing the angle of displacement of the Moon and the distance between the observatories, it is possible to calculate the distance to it using a particular formula.However, other galaxies are too far away, even for a telescope, so it's time to mention the astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. She studied certain types of stars called Cepheid variables and discovered that stars glowed with variable brightness and measured their variation period. Leavitt realized that the more time it takes for the Cepheid to shine and fade, the more total energy the star emitted.Leavitt’s discovery meant that astronomers could accurately calculate distances to nearby stars by measuring their changing brightness. Astronomer Harlow Shapley used it to measure the size of our galaxy, the Milky Way — it turned out to be a bit over 100,000 light-years. And after the appearance of the telescope named after astronomer Edwin Hubble, they precisely determined that the Milky Way is just one galaxy out of many. In 1990, the Hubble telescope started traveling from Earth's orbit; it still explores space and sends incredible photos to scientists.
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first KEY POINT
Ancient and modern astronomy — from Stonehenge to telescopes
second KEY POINT
It all started with the Big Bang: the age of our universe
third KEY POINT
Chemistry is at the forefront of our understanding of the nature of things
fourth KEY POINT
The cell that changed Earth completely
fifth KEY POINT
Before aliens: humanity and possibility of artificial intelligence
sixth KEY POINT
We are looking for alien life, hoping that aliens are doing the same
seventh KEY POINT
Conclusion
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Frequently asked questions
What is Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going about?
Cosmic Queries, written by Neil deGrasse Tyson, explores profound questions about existence, humanity’s place in the universe, and the evolution of life. The book delves into the intersecting realms of science, philosophy, and human curiosity, inspiring readers to ponder our origins and future.
What are the key takeaways from Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going?
Key takeaways from the book include insights into the complexity of the universe, the importance of scientific inquiry, and the interconnectedness of all life. Tyson emphasizes that understanding our cosmic context can shape how we view our responsibilities on Earth and towards each other.
Is Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going worth reading?
Yes, Cosmic Queries is worth reading, especially for those interested in science, philosophy, and existential questions. Tyson’s engaging writing and approachable explanations make complex topics accessible and compelling.
How many pages is Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going and when was it published?
Cosmic Queries has 288 pages and was published on April 6, 2021. This makes it a concise yet information-packed read perfect for curious minds.
Who is the author of Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going?
The author of Cosmic Queries is Neil deGrasse Tyson, a renowned astrophysicist and science communicator. His work makes complex scientific ideas engaging and relatable to a broad audience.