An observational view of the cosmos
pp. 101-112
in: Wolfgang Yourgrau, Allen D. Breck (eds), Cosmology, history, and theology, Berlin, Springer, 1977Abstract
It is a commonplace that our Sun is one of some hundred billion stars which make up our Galaxy, one of billions of galaxies spread over a space so vast that distance is measured in the thousands of millions of light-years. This knowledge, however, was gained only within the adult careers of people still alive today. The geniuses of earlier centuries could question, reason, and speculate; but the vast- ness of intergalactic space was beyond the power of their instruments. Countless milestones in humbler callings had to be passed before a technology equal to the task could be reached. This myriad technology has nurtured a variety of obser vational disciplines whose results fill an ever-growing literature. Although much work remains to be done, the broad and apparently durable outlines of a picture of the Universe has emerged. A description of the main features of this picture is the subject of this paper.