8
ATOMS, STARS,
AND GALAXIES
1915 –
146 Time and space and
gravitation have no
separate existence
from matter
The theory of relativity
154 An exact solution
to relativity predicts
black holes
Curves in spacetime
156 The spiral nebulae
are stellar systems
Spiral galaxies
162 Stars are dominated by
hydrogen and helium
Stellar composition
164 Our galaxy is rotating
The shape of the Milky Way
166 A slow process of
annihilation of matter
Nuclear fusion within stars
168 A day without yesterday
The birth of the universe
172 The universe is expanding
in all directions
Beyond the Milky Way
196 t took less than an hour I
to make the atomic nuclei
The primeval atom198 Stars are factories for
the chemical elements
Nucleosynthesis200 Sites of star formation
Dense molecular cloudsNEW WINDOWS
ON THE UNIVERSE
1950 –206 A vast cloud surrounds
the solar system
The Oort cloud207 Comets are dirty snowballs
The composition of comets208 The way to the stars is open
The launch of Sputnik210 The search for interstellar
communications
Radio telescopes212 Meteorites can vaporize
on impact
Investigating craters213 The sun rings like a bell
The sun’s vibrations214 The data can best be
explained as X-rays
from sources outside
the solar system
Cosmic radiation218 Brighter than a galaxy,
but it looks like a star
Quasars and black holes178 White dwarfs have
a maximum mass
The life cycles of stars179 The radio universe
Radio astronomy180 An explosive transition
to a neutron star
Supernovae182 The source of energy in
stars is nuclear fusion
Energy generation184 A reservoir of comets
exists beyond the planets
The Kuiper belt185 Some galaxies have active
regions at their centers
Nuclei and radiation186 The match of lunar and
Earth material is too perfect
The origin of the moon188 mportant new discoveries I
will be made with flying
telescopes
Space telescopes