The cosmos - Adam Hart-Davis

In this indispensable beginner's guide to the Cosmos, Adam Hart-Davis brings us the latest news from the outer reaches of the universe. By travelling the world to interview scientists at the sharp end of astronomical research - and visiting some of the largest scientific machines ever built - Adam reveals the current attempts to solve some of the most profound questions ever asked.

How close are we to finding extraterrestrial life in our own solar system? Will we ever discover what happened in the very instant of creation itself - the Big Bang? What is the ultimate fate of the universe?

Adam reports from the places where missions are launched, vast experiments are conducted, and new galaxies discovered. Using sketches and photos, he demonstrates in his own inimitable way what we can do to prevent an asteroid smashing into Earth, how we can detect exoplanets, and what aliens might see if they were watching our television signals. He shows us the workings of spacecraft and instruments, and explains how the latest findings have advanced our knowledge of how the universe ticks.

Accompanying a six-part series on BBC2, The Cosmos - A Beginner's Guide takes us on a mind-bending journey to the edge of the Universe and the frontier of our understanding of our mysterious Cosmos.