Quantum Origins of Cosmic Structure

Based on a hypothesis about the quantum-physical and embryo-like nature of inflation - the first instant of the Big Bang - the theory discussed here traces the origin of the precursor nebulae of a broad hierarchy of astronomical objects to sequences of single energy quanta produced by a (random) process of proliferation of inflation-era particles, and provides initial conditions for a specific scenario of how cosmic structure forms and evolves. The theory has a small number of observationally-accessible parameters and generates many testable predictions, in particular about evolution, internal structure and composition of collapsed objects like stars and planets. Implying a robust alternative to the dual paradigm of spatially uniform light-element primordial nucleosynthesis and stellar recycling of matter as the sole mechanism of heavy-element production, it integrates astro-physical and planetary sciences - their tenets fittingly revised - with cosmology and galaxy formation in a coherent and evolutionary framework.