"Using a mixture of eye-catching graphics, humor, and good old science, Ben Gilliland, creator of the Metro's popular MetroCosm column, shows us how the cosmos came to be, unraveling the complex concepts surrounding the birth and development of the galaxies. Each chapter builds the universe piece by piece - from the making of matter, to the life and death of a star, to the creation of the solar system - while highlighting such discoveries as the cosmic microwave background, and a whole lot of other universe-building necessities. With out-of-this world images and fact boxes interspersed throughout, you'll be mastering the universe in no time at all."--Jacket.

"First published in Great Britain in 2015 by Cassell, a division of Octopus Publishing Group Ltd"--Title page verso. Includes index.

How we dicovered the Big Bang -- A universe is born -- How we discovered the atom -- The force is strong with this universe -- A star is born -- The life and death of a star -- Meet the galaxy gardeners -- Cooking up a solar system -- The end...or is it?