Chapter 1

Where are we?

From the Big Bang to Galaxies

Powers of Ten Zoom

Contents

How did it all get here?

Big Bang

Stellar evolution

Chemical change

Q. What does chemical change have to do with the abundance of life in the Universe? Is timing important?

Space, Time and Distance

How do we measure them?

Conversions

The finite speed of light – and what it means.

How far away is it? Andromeda

How do we count things?

How can I keep it all straight?

Scale as a way to understand things

Nearby stars, The Milky Way

Age of the Universe

Motion

How fast are we moving? Rotation revolution more revolution

Expanding Universe

So, where are we and where are we going?