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Description:

Our understanding of the universe is in turmoil. Where once we thought of a universe filled with shining stars and galaxies, we now know that luminous matter is little more than a thin icing on a dark and ponderous cosmic cake.

Aimed at general readers and armchair astronomers alike, this new book shows how our ideas about the nature and content of the universe have developed and changed out of all recognition. It highlights the key discoveries, explains the underlying concepts, and examines current thinking on the nature of dark matter and dark energy. It describes the techniques which astronomers use to explore the remote recesses of the cosmos in their quest to understand its composition, evolution and ultimate fate, and looks at how particle hunters, working deep underground, are attempting to track down and identify those long sought and
elusive dark matter particles.

Iain Nicolson is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster in the fields of astronomy and space science, a Visiting Fellow of the University of Hertfordshire, and a Contributing Consultant to the magazine “Astronomy Now”. He lectures widely to national and local societies and organisations and is a frequent contributor to BBC Television’s “The Sky at Night”. He is author or co-author of 20 books and has written chapters and entries for a wide variety of books and encyclopaedias.

Reviews:

"A brilliant book about one of the greatest problems facing astronomers today. If anyone can light up our dark universe, Iain Nicolson can." Sir Patrick Moore

"For anyone who was intrigued by Bang!, Dark Side of the Universe is the perfect way to delve deeper into twentieth century astronomy." Brian May

"Full of lavish illustrations in beautiful colour - though not of course of dark matter and dark energy - it is a first-class overview for the non-specialist, with enough meaty detail for scientists too." New Scientist