Das Universum in der Nussschale

How did it happen that billions of stars "lit up" during a certain phase of cosmic development? What makes the mechanism that prompted this tick? Why doesn't the sky glow, even though the entire universe is glowing – or is that not true? Why is the universe moving away from us? Why do space and time have a beginning and are not eternal? Why is the world not clearly defined and final? Why are we actually here and not somewhere else? Are there other beings in the cosmos, and if so, who are they and where are they? The search for the formula that explains the universe, for the "theory of everything," is the holy grail of physics. The brightest minds in cosmology are grappling with this question. Among them is undoubtedly Stephen Hawking. He discusses various proposals, such as string theory and supergravity. He shows that not only does space take shape, but so does time. He engages with Newton and Einstein, explores whether time travel is possible, and delves into other bold speculations, offering a unique insight into the world of modern astrophysics and cosmology. Paperback edition based on the expanded new edition.