"For decades, astronomers have sought to discover the ultimate fate of the universe. Will the cosmos continue forever in its expansion, which began billions of years ago with the big bang? Or will gravity someday reverse the process, producing a "big crunch?" Within the past few years, two rival groups of astronomers have announced a discovery that seems to resolve the issue: Instead of slowing down, the expansion of the universe appears to be accelerating. This finding has shaken the science of cosmology to its very foundation." "In The Runaway Universe, astronomer and acclaimed science writer Donald Goldsmith takes us in search of two crucial cosmic parameters, whose true value will determine the rate of the expansion, as well as both the age and the fate of the universe.". "This is the story of the astronomers who have stood the world of cosmology on its ear - and of their competitive race to discover the future of the cosmos. It is also an investigation into whether their remarkable findings will stand the test of time."--BOOK JACKET.