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This book describes the origins and evolution of the chemical elements  we and the cosmos are made of. The story starts with the discovery of the common elements on Earth and their subsequent discovery in space. How do we learn the composition of the distant stars? How did progress in quantum theory, nuclear physics, spectroscopy, stellar structure and evolution, together with observations of stars, converge to provide an incredibly detailed picture of the universe? How does research in the micro-world explain the macro-world? How does progress in one affect the other, or lack of knowledge in one inhibit progress in the other? In short, Shaviv describes how we discovered the various pieces of the jigsaw that form our present picture of the universe; and how we sometimes put these in the wrong place before finding in the right one. En route we meet some fascinating personalities and learn about heated controversies. Shaviv shows how science lurched from one dogma  to the next, time and again shattering much of what had been considered solid knowledge, until eventually a stable understanding arose. Beginning with generally accepted science, the book ends in today’s terra incognita of nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology. A monumental work that will fascinate scientists, philosophers, historians and lay readers alike.

Astrophysics -- Congresses. --- Cosmochemistry -- Congresses. --- Cosmochemistry. --- Nucleosynthesis -- Congresses. --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Theoretical Astronomy --- Astronomy - General --- Astrophysics --- Nucleosynthesis. --- Astrochemistry --- Cosmic chemistry --- Space chemistry --- Nucleogenesis --- Astronomy. --- Nuclear chemistry. --- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology. --- Nuclear Chemistry. --- History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics. --- Chemistry --- Space sciences --- Chemical elements --- Cosmochemistry --- Chemistry, Nuclear --- Chemistry, Physical and theoretical --- Nuclear astrophysics. --- Astrophysics. --- Physics. --- Natural philosophy --- Philosophy, Natural --- Physical sciences --- Dynamics --- Astronomical physics --- Astronomy --- Cosmic physics --- Physics

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If you have ever wondered how we get from the awesome impersonality of the Big Bang universe to the point where living creatures can start to form, and evolve into beings like you, your friends and your family, wonder no more. Steve Miller provides us with a tour through the chemical evolution of the universe, from the formation of the first molecules all the way to the chemicals required for life to evolve. Using a simple Hydrogen molecule – known as H-three-plus - as a guide, he takes us on a journey that starts with the birth of the first stars, and how, in dying, they pour their hearts out into enriching the universe in which we live. Our molecular guide makes its first appearance at the source of the Chemical Cosmos, at a time when only three elements and a total of 11 molecules existed. From those simple beginnings, H-three-plus guides us down river on the violent currents of exploding stars, through the streams of the Interstellar Medium, and into the delta where new stars and planets form. We are finally left on the shores of the sea of life. Along the way, we meet the key characters who have shaped our understanding of the chemistry of the universe, such as Cambridge physicist J.J. Thomson and the Chicago chemist Takeshi Oka. And we are given an insider’s view of just how astronomers, making use of telescopes and Earth-orbiting satellites, have put together our modern view of the Chemical Cosmos.

Cosmochemistry. --- Cosmochemistry --- Physics --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Physics - General --- Theoretical Astronomy --- Astrochemistry --- Cosmic chemistry --- Space chemistry --- Physics. --- Physical chemistry. --- Planetology. --- Astronomy. --- Physics, general. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Physical Chemistry. --- Chemistry --- Space sciences --- Chemistry, Physical organic. --- Chemistry, Physical organic --- Chemistry, Organic --- Chemistry, Physical and theoretical --- Planetary sciences --- Planetology --- Natural philosophy --- Philosophy, Natural --- Physical sciences --- Dynamics --- Chemistry, Theoretical --- Physical chemistry --- Theoretical chemistry