Cosmology is no less than the story of everything.  Since Galileo first raised his telescope to the heavens 400 years ago astronomers have made tremendous progress in answering these profound questions.

This website tells the story behind modern cosmology, the key people who laid the groundwork for this fundamental theory, and the methods and machines that made their work possible.  Activities that you can do at home will allow you to connect these concepts to your everyday experiences.

To view the entire story from beginning to end, click on The Cosmology Timeline, and start with Galileo. Or if you prefer, choose any of the 20 steps for an in-depth look at the discoveries and insights at a particular time over the past 400 years that led to a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.