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Tables of Contents for From the Big Bang to Planet X
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Introduction
8
6
THE UNIVERSE
14
24
What exactly is the Big Bang theory?
16
1
How do we know the universe is expanding?
17
2
What evidence is there that the Big Bang really happened?
19
2
If all the galaxies are moving away from us, does that mean we are at the centre of the universe?
21
1
If the universe is expanding, what is it expanding into?
22
2
What came before the Big Bang?
24
2
Are there theories apart from the Big Bang?
26
2
How will our universe end?
28
3
If our universe ends by collapsing, could a new universe be born?
31
1
How many galaxies are in the universe?
32
2
What is the dark-matter mystery?
34
2
Which way is Earth moving through space, and how fast is it going?
36
2
STARS
38
20
What is the brightest star?
40
1
If a star's light takes thousands of years to reach us, are the stars we see tonight still there?
41
2
Is the space between the stars really a vacuum?
43
1
What is the average distance between stars?
43
2
How do we know the distances to the stars?
45
4
Why do stars twinkle?
49
1
Will the sun ever explode in a supernova?
50
2
What is a black hole?
52
2
If black holes are invisible, how do we know they exist?
54
2
Can a black hole be used as a tunnel through space?
56
2
PLANETS
58
18
Does Planet X exist?
60
2
Have any planets been seen orbiting other stars?
62
3
What is the ``face'' on Mars?
65
2
Is Jupiter really a failed star?
67
2
Did an exploding planet cause the asteroid belt?
69
2
What are Saturn's rings made of?
71
3
Why do the planets all orbit the sun in the same plane?
74
2
THE SUN AND THE MOON
76
16
Can a telescope show where the astronauts landed on the moon?
78
1
Is the moon moving closer to or farther from Earth?
79
2
Why does the moon look so big when it is rising?
81
2
Why is the moon's dark side sometimes visible at crescent moon?
83
2
What is a blue moon?
85
1
What causes haloes around the sun and the moon?
86
2
When is the next eclipse?
88
4
STARGAZING
92
24
What is the easiest way to learn the constellations?
94
2
How many stars are visible on a clear, dark night?
96
9
How far outside the city do I need to go to see the stars properly?
105
1
Is it possible to photograph the stars with a regular camera?
106
2
When is the best time to see meteors (``shooting stars'')?
108
1
When is the best time to look for the northern lights?
109
3
Are winter nights clearer and darker than summer nights?
112
1
What type of telescope should I buy?
113
3
ALIENS AND MORE...
116
18
How big is the world's largest telescope?
118
2
How often do meteors reach the ground?
120
2
What was the Star of Bethlehem mentioned in the Bible?
122
3
Are UFOs real?
125
3
Why do astronomers search distant stars for extraterrestrial signals but insist that extraterrestrials can't be near Earth?
128
3
What about the stories of people being abducted by aliens?
131
3
Appendix: The Amazing Universe
134
4
Further Reading
138
6
Index
144