The big bang: The creation and evolution of the universe

Written for the nonspecialist, the book describes contemporary problems and achievements in astronomy, cosmology, and astrophysics. The history of the universe is recounted and current controversies are examined from several points of view. Attention is given to the origins of modern cosmology, evidence for the big bang, cosmological models, galaxy evolution, radio galaxies and quasars, and the formation of the solar system. An appendix providing the basic mathmatical framework for understanding modern cosmology is provided