The Big Bang - an eyewitness account

[Snowhog]

I post this mostly with the prospect that GreyGeek will find it interesting, particularly the linked to program.

https://phys.org/news/2018-10-big-ba...aign=item-menu

At the bottom of the article are two links, the second one a program written in python.

[vinnywright]

that was an interesting read , thanks

VINNY

[Qqmike]

Nice article and story-telling, Snowhog. Thanks for posting it.
I also made a timeline, but his is really good, and complete.

I think I've read--as a hobby of sorts--most of the leading popular cosmology books by leading authors. I just received, from Amazon, Hawking's new book release (posthumously), Brief Answers to the Big Questions
https://www.amazon.com/Brief-Answers...0738942&sr=1-1
So, the timing of your post was perfect, Snowhog, as a quick review of the Big Bang and thereafter.

What I find to be a neat thought is that we are made of stardust,
http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=52
as Carl Sagan was fond of observing.

In other words, part of the universe (that would be us, humans on Earth) has became aware of itself. Part of the universe (us) has begun to explore the universe, and to manipulate matter (e.g., we make things out of things like metals and plastics), and to detect and manipulate the smallest particles of matter (as when we do the science and then make a cell phone).

If the universe can do that, then what other amazing, unbelievable, things can it do?

- - - - - - - - - -

Fwiw, btw, here's a collection (so far) I can recommend to anyone interested in this subject.

Cosmos, Carl Sagan

A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking
The Universe in a Nutshell, Stephen Hawking
Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays, Stephen Hawking
The Grand Design, Stephen Hawking
Brief Answers to the Big Questions, Stephen Hawking

Our Mathematical Universe, Max Tegmark (although somewhat disturbing, a favorite of mine)

The Universe From Nothing, Lawrence M. Krauss

The Big Picture, Sean Carroll

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Carlo Rovelli
Reality Is Not What It Seems, Carlo Rovelli

The Fabric of the Cosmos, Brian Greene
The Hidden Reality, Brian Greene

Astrophysicas for People in a Hurry, Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Death By Black Hole, Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Origins, Neil DeGrasse Tyson

[oldgeek]

Thanks for the link and the list of books. Now the big question is still: why? (the first answer--why not?)

[Qqmike]

Now the big question is still: why? (the first answer--why not?)

Brief Answers to the Big Questions, Stephen Hawking -- may have some answers from Hawking.

Or, try this uplifting perspective: Our Mathematical Universe, Max Tegmark