Ⅰ THE TECHNIQUES OF INVESTIGATION 1
The nature of the universe 1
Radio waves from space 4
The first radio map of the sky 6
The development of the radio telescope 8
The space probe 11
Ⅱ THE SOLAR SYSTEM 17
The interplanetary space 19
The solar atmosphere 20
Meteors of shooting stars 24
The Moon and the planets 29
The origin of the solar system 33
Ⅲ THE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSE 35
The arrangement of the stars in the galaxies 35
The radio emissions from space 37
The radio emission from extragalactic nebulae 43
The radio emission from the neutral hydrogen 44
The processes of star formation 48
Ⅳ THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSE 52
The impact of radio astronomy on cosmology 54
The investigation of the distant radio sources 57
Theories of the cosmos 61
The model universes in evolutionary cosmology 63
Ⅴ SOME REFLECTIONS ON ETHICS AND THE COSMOS 68
The formation of planetary systems 69
The possibilities of extraterrestrial life 70
The burden of proof 74
The ethical state of civilizations 76
The basis for optimism 80
APPENDIX 82
INDEX 85