The author is Canadian, obtained a PhD in astrophysics at the University of Sydney in Australia, and spent most of his career as a senior scientist at the European Southern Observatory (ESO), based in Munich. He has authored or co-authored over 250 scientific papers, and edited six books on astronomy and astrophysics. His interests have ranged from our galaxy to distant quasars and the reionization of the universe. He was instrumental in the establishment of Europe's participation in the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) project. A member of various international organizations and committees, he served as President of the International Astronomical Union's Division on Galaxies and the Universe. Now retired, he and his Australian wife split their time between Sydney, Toronto, and Europe, and he devotes himself to broadening his horizons in science, in the process having written this book.

Offers a popular account of the big questions of life and modern science

Explains in an accessible way our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe, the formation and evolution of life, why we die and what we know about consciousness

Begins with the Early Universe, zooms in on life, evolution and consciousness on Earth, and finally zooms out into the distant future

Discusses the possibility of life elsewhere in the Universe

Includes supplementary material: [...]

Setting the scene.- The universe is expanding and evolving.- What's the matter?.- Inner and outer space.- The origin of our universe - and others?.- Is our universe fine-tuned for life?.- The universe on fast forward.- The cradles of life.- The astonishing diversity of life.- The astonishing unity of life.- How did life begin?.- How did life evolve?.- Comings and goings.- Did cognition evolve?.- What about consciousness?.- Are we special?.- Are we alone in the universe?.- What is the future of the universe?.- Why should we be able to understand the universe at all?.- Epilogue.- Further Reading.- Acknowledgements.- Index.