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We’ve all heard it before. The classic argument from a theist’s perspective on why a god must have created our universe. I can’t tell you how many times religious people have said to me: “well, can you think of one example where something comes from nothing in the universe?”
They are correct in noting that “something cannot be created from nothing” within our known universe, as far as we have been able to demonstrate through
Hubble Deep Field: thousands of galaxies
scientific inquiry. However, when considering the big bang and the origins of our known universe, we cannot apply the laws of physics WITHIN the known universe to that which act OUTSIDE the known universe. Before the start of our universe, it is plausible that other laws of “physics” governed and dictated how our universe singularity began and where the energy and material originated from.
There is also a notable phenomenon observed in quantum mechanics. Particles composed of quarks such as protons, neutrons, positrons, etc have been observed popping into existence from nowhere and leaving again just as fast. Such particles “appear” in a vacuum where no other matter or energy exists. At the quantum level, even empty space is not truly empty but is seething with activity; particles are constantly popping in and out of existence everywhere. In pair creation, a particle and its antimatter partner seem to “appear” (see Bosons). This is cutting edge quantum mechanics research. The Large Hadron Collider in Switzlerand was built and is just recently up and running in the search for the Higgs-Boson particle.
We cannot apply the laws of this universe to that which acted outside of the universe. The laws that hold true within the bubble of our universe may not govern outside the bounds of this universe. 
It is plausible that there are endless numbers of other universes “floating” about and our universe is just one of them. Within each of these multi-verses different laws and properties may govern the interactions within. This “Multiverse theory” is the leading theory in the scientific cosmology community, though it remains untested and still a speculation. (Though this speculation is based on other observations and evidence of how our universe operates). It is probable that the “laws” that act outside our bubble universe commonly call into existence something from nothing. We cannot say with certainty so it is irresponsible to jump to a conclusion without the ability to test or prove it to be false or true. This applies to the multi-verse theory and the theory of a god or gods.
Watch this 10 min video where Dr. Michio Kaku, a leading cosmologist explains the multiverse theory:
As announced this weekend: Here is a transcript of Hawking’s explanation of why he is stepping down as the Lucasian Professor at Cambridge.
“The first thing I should say, is that I’m not retiring. Under Cambridge University regulations, I will no longer be the Lucasian Professor, but I will have a new post as a Director of Research at Cambridge.
I will carry on with my scientific work, and my efforts to explain it to other people. I’m currently working on the quantum creation of the universe, and the rapid inflation in size that followed.
Despite having been unfortunate enough to get motor neurone disease at the age of 21, I have had a full and satisfying life. I have three wonderful children, and have been able to add to our understanding of the universe.
It has been a glorious time to be alive, and doing research in theoretical physics. Our picture of the universe, has changed a great deal in the last 40 years, and I’m happy if I have made a small contribution.
I want to share my excitement and enthusiasm. There’s nothing like the Eureka moment, of discovering something that no-one knew before. I won’t compare it to sex, but it lasts longer.”
From the BBC news:
Europe’s Planck observatory has reached its operating temperature, making it the coldest object in space.
The observatory’s detectors have been chilled to a staggering minus 273.05C – just a tenth of a degree above what scientists term “absolute zero.”
Launched in May, Planck will survey the “oldest light” in the Universe.
Its detectors, or bolometers, should see detail in this radiation that offers new insights into the age, contents and evolution of the cosmos. read more
You can watch this mini series on your computer (just don’t let the boss catch you 
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/program-3114.html
The Antennae Galaxies/NGC 4038-4039
These two spiral galaxies began to collide about 300 million years ago. They are some of the youngest and nearest colliding galaxies, giving astronomers one of their best opportunities to study the phenomenon. It may be a preview of what will happen when our galaxy runs into the Andromeda galaxy in a few billion years.
Taken from Wired.com
The latest read was by Neil deGrasse Tyson: The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet
Neil deGrasse Tyson is the hallmark face of today’s front running scientists. Having the brains to converse with Einstein and the social charm to convey complex science concepts to the common person, Tyson is the perfect author for a book such as this. The Pluto files delves into the history of the now demoted orb “Pluto” so affectionately known prior as the smallest planet, but now understood to be the largest orb in the Kuiper belt. It is an anecdotal book, amusing at best that depicts Tyson’s headache of having to deal with the hate mail after the process of defining a planet shoved Pluto out of the Planet club. It was a fun little read that offered insight into the scientific process and how most scientists are not as concerned with what category something is in, but rather its properties and how it interacts with its surroundings.
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