Ever since the first rocket entered space, science and technology have been the obsessions of the 20th century. With their aid it seems possible that man can discover his own origins and learn the history of the cosmos. This is the story of the cosmologists whose job it is to determine the fate of the universe. Stephen Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time, is but one member of this band, who, armed with computer chips, radio telescopes, underground particle accelerates, pride and imagination, must discover through science the secrets of the universe. As well as the creation myths, there are radically opposed scientific theories of the world's origin. Some hold the big bang theory, which states that the world was born in a fiery cataclysm and might disappear again equally dramatically. Others believe that the universe is infinite and always the same. This is not a book of theory but a lively tribute to the people who, with the help of science, might eventually reach the truth.