History and Distant Future of the Universe (Ch 11) The Big Bang Theory (Ch 10) The First Pillar: The Expansion of the Universe (Ch 7) The Second Pillar: The Cosmic Microwave Background (Ch 8) The Third Pillar: The Abundance of the Elements (Ch 9) Basic observations of entire Universe, Nature of space and time (Ch 5, 6) Measurement of basic properties of objects in Universe: Distance, Mass, Velocity, Composition (Ch 2, 3, 4) Scientific Method, Mathematical Tools, Units (Ch. 1)

Ways out of Olbers’s Paradox: Space is not infinite. (Space has an edge.) (But this would contradict our understanding of the geometry of space.) Space is infinite, but galaxies stop at some point. (But there is no reason for them to be in some regions of space but not others.) Space is infinite and filled with galaxies, but something prevents us from seeing beyond a certain point. (What could prevent this?)

Any origin of the universe theory must: Leave the universe expanding with a Hubble Constant of 71 +/- 4 (km/s)/Mpc (current best value is 68 +/- 1) (Section 5.1). Produce the observed distribution of galaxy clusters, walls, and voids today (Section 5.2). Leave a cosmic microwave background with a temperature of 2.725 K (Section 5.3). Produce primordial abundances of 77% H, 23% He, 3 parts per 10 billion Lithium (Section 5.4). Produce a universe that is slightly older than 13 billion years (Section 5.5). Properly resolve Olbers’s Paradox (Section 5.6). These are very strict requirements on any theory – and strict requirements are better for science!