String Theory For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 9

Physics in Space: Considering Cosmology and Astrophysics

IN THIS CHAPTER

Putting things where they belong in the universe

Going back to the universe’s teeny-tiny beginnings

Getting enlightened about dark matter and dark energy

Seeing how black holes bend and break space

One of humankind’s first scientific acts was probably to look into the heavens and ask questions about the nature of that vast universe. Today, scientists are still fascinated by these questions, and with good reason. Though we know much more about what makes up the heavens than our cave-dwelling ancestors knew, the black space between the stars still holds many mysteries — and string theory contributes to the search for answers to many of those mysteries.

In this chapter, you find out what physicists, astronomers, astrophysicists, and cosmologists have uncovered about the workings of the universe independent of string theory. As scientists have discovered how the universe works, their findings have led to more difficult questions, which string theorists hope to answer. We cover some of the more complex ...