Using an extremely accessible approach, the authors present a fascinating look at how cosmic structures, such as galaxies and clusters, began and evolved. After introducing readers to the simplest cosmological models and basic observational cosmology, they detail the Big Bang theory and the theory of structural formation by gravitational instability. The book concludes with observational techniques for testing models of large-scale structure origin in the universe. Features discussions of recent spectacular breakthroughs including the COBE satellite discoveries.