Cosmology and the universe Books

Book SynopsisIn 1963 Stephen Hawking was given two years to live. Defying all the odds, he died in March 2018 at age seventy-six as the most celebrated scientist in the world. This carefully researched and updated biography and tribute gives a rich picture of Hawking's remarkable life - his childhood, the heart-rending beginning of his struggle with motor neurone disease, his ever-increasing international fame, and his long personal battle for survival in pursuit of a scientific understanding of the universe. From more recent years, Kitty Ferguson describes his inspiring leadership at the London Paralympic Games, the release of the film The Theory of Everything, his continuing work on black holes and the origin of the universe, the discovery of 'supertranslations', and the astounding 'Starshot' program. Here also are his intense concern for the future of the Earth and his use of his celebrity to fight for environmental and humanitarian causes, and, finally, a ground-breaking paper he was working on at the time of his death, in which he took issue with some of his own earlier theories. Throughout, Ferguson summarizes and explains the cutting-edge science in which Hawking was engaged and offers vivid first-hand descriptions of his funeral in Cambridge and the interment of his ashes in Westminster Abbey. This is an amazing and revealing tribute, assessing Hawking's legacy in and out of science.

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Book SynopsisFor most of human history, we have had a close relationship with the stars. Once they shaped our religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances and even our biology. But over the last few centuries we have separated ourselves from the universe that surrounds us. And it comes at a cost.The Human Cosmos is a tour of this history: from the Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux to Tahitian sailors navigating by the stars; from medieval monks grappling with the nature of time to Einstein realising that space and time are the same. It shows we need to rediscover the universe we inhabit, its effect on our health, and its potential for inspiration and revelation.Trade ReviewA dazzling cultural account of our enduring and ever-changing relationship to the cosmos. Beginning with cave paintings and stone circles, Marchant traces humanity's epic journey from a sky filled with gods, spirits and celestial events that shaped people's lives and beliefs to the Big Bang and the search for alien life. This book will change the way you look at the night sky -- MANJIT KUMAR, author of QUANTUMVast in scope and meticulously researched this brilliant book traces humanity's enduring relationship with our physical and cultural ancestors: the stars. Full of fascinating stories, Jo Marchant weaves astronomy with astrology, mathematical physics with gods and spirits. It made me question my reality and left me starstruck -- GAIA VINCE * * author of Transcendence and Adventures in the Anthropocene * *Marchant's vast and fascinating story packs in plenty of human detail . . . inspiring and persuasive * * Guardian * *Humans have always been fascinated by the stars. But why are we so drawn to these celestial objects? Jo Marchant reveals this historical relationship through beautifully told stories, of gods and spirits, mathematicians and physicists . . . The Human Cosmos is not just a pleasure to read, it's one you'll want to share with everyone you know who is interested in astronomy * * BBC Science Focus * *Marchant is a deft writer. Her characters are vivid, and her stories flow. The unexpected connections she makes . . . are often quite satisfying . . . A reminder that the forces that shape humanity far precede modern people and will persist long after we're gone * * New York Times * *A thought-provoking look at how fascination with the heavens has shaped human culture, and still does * * Economist, Book of the Year * *An important and delicious book. Jo Marchant, whipsmart, sensitive, and eloquent yet unforced as ever, mines the history of stargazing to show that today's cosmology can't reveal the "intrinsic nature" of anything, whether stars, stardust or human existence, because omitting human consciousness from its equations impoverishes not just our comprehension of the universe, but the notion of understanding itself -- DAVID DOBBSAn extensively researched and fascinating book . . . The reader will find much that is new and intriguing in The Human Cosmos . . . ought to be essential reading * * Journal of the British Astronomical Association * *Science journalist Marchant explores the relationship between humans and the celestial in this luminous and fascinating journey through science, religion, culture and everything in between * * Newsweek * *A unique and mind-expanding enquiry . . . a tour de force on par with Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari * * Booklist (starred review) * *

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Book SynopsisInitially composed by Poe as a public lecture towards the end of his career and considered by him the culmination of all his life’s work, Eureka is an extended treatise about the creation, existence and the ultimate end of the world. An idiosyncratic blend of creative writing and scientific discourse, with unexpected forays into comedy and wordplay, this self-styled “prose poem” is a genre-defying masterpiece. Although it baffled the reading public of its time, Eureka found many prominent admirers, from Charles Baudelaire to W.H. Auden, and has since assembled an audience receptive to its unique appeal as a compendium of European thought that anticipated many current theories and discoveries while also pioneering many elements of science-fiction aesthetics.Trade ReviewEureka is a fascinating work. Read this essay carefully; there is much more to it than meets the eye -- Sir Patrick Moore

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A] lovely, utterly original book. . . . This intimate account of the life and thought of a physicist is one of the nicest scientific books I have ever read—personal and honest, clear and informative, entertaining and difficult to put down."---Alejandro Gangui, American Scientist"Gorgeously written."---Mary Carmichael, Newsweek"Highly original. . . . Few scientists are capable of putting their understanding and experiences into words as effectively."---Peter Coles, Nature"Science as it is lived. . . . [Levin's] book is a gift."---Corey S. Powell, Discover"Gives a personal resonance to scientists’ attempts to understand the mysteries of the universe." * Washington Post *"Levin not only tours the wilder reaches of cosmology, but she also bares her soul." * New Scientist *"If the universe is infinite, then its possibilities are infinite as well. But in How the Universe Got Its Spots, the astrophysicist Janna Levin insists that infinity works as a hypothetical concept only, and that it is not found in nature."---Lauren Porcaro, New Yorker"Levin unpacks the technicalities with a skill honed from giving many lectures on the subject, and it is fascinating to read. . . . A book to be applauded."---Andrew Crumey, The Scotsman"[A] touchingly personal account."---Jim McClean, The Herald (Glasgow)"Levin interweaves enlightening insights into the most profound enigmas of space, time and infinity with reflections on her struggle to balance her personal and professional lives. The result suggests a blend of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and The History of Time."---Dan Kincaid, Arizona Republic "The intellectual-emotional balance, and the finely tuned prose, are what makes this different from the very many other books on cosmology. And Levin has found an interesting way to do this; the book is in the form of letters to her mother." * Globe and Mail *"How the Universe Got Its Spots is a genuine attempt to break down barriers, both intellectual and emotional, between scientists and their wished-for audience."---Ken Grimes and Alison Boyle, Astronomy

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Book SynopsisUpdating one of the most widely used introductory textbooks on Einstein's general relativity, this third edition includes the latest updates on gravitational waves, black holes, and cosmology. It introduces the science of relativity to final-year undergraduates and graduate students, requiring only a minimal background in mathematics.Trade ReviewPraise for the second edition: 'Bernard Schutz's textbook A First Course in General Relativity quickly became a classic, notable for its use of the geometrical approach to the subject, combined with a refreshing succinctness. Since its first publication in 1985, the field of general relativity has exploded … Schutz has done a masterful job of incorporating these new developments into a revised edition, which is sure to become a new 'classic'.' Clifford M. Will, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, Washington University, St. LouisPraise for the second edition: 'This new edition retains all of the original's clarity and insight into the mathematical foundations of general relativity, but thoroughly updates the accounts of the application of the theory in astrophysics and cosmology. The result is an indispensable volume and this new edition will no doubt become a classic text in its own right.' Mike Hobson, Cavendish Laboratory, University of CambridgePraise for the second edition: 'Schutz has updated his eminently readable and eminently teachable A First Course in General Relativity. This text will be appreciated by any upper-level undergraduate with an interest in cosmology, astrophysics, or experimentation in gravitational physics.' Richard Matzner, The Center for Relativity, University of Texas at AustinPraise for the second edition: ' … marvellous … very clear … I cannot recommend this book highly enough to any physicist who wants a good introduction to general relativity.' David Burton, The ObservatoryPraise for the first edition: 'Schutz has such mastery of the material that it soon becomes clear that one is in authoritative hands, and topics are selected and developed only to a point where they prove adequate for future needs.' The Times Higher Education SupplementPraise for the first edition: '… ought to inspire more physicists and astronomers to teach and learn the other half of the twentieth century's revolution in physics.' Foundations of PhysicsPraise for the first edition: 'The book is a goldmine of cleverly constructed problems and exercises (and solutions!).' NaturePraise for the first edition: '… provides the first step into general relativity for undergraduate students with a minimal background in mathematics.' Zentralblatt MATH'Several generations of students have benefitted from the first two editions of Professor Bernard Schutz' beautiful introductory textbook on tensor algebra, manifolds, physics in curved space times, and Einstein's field equations. Why another edition now? The answer is that, in the last years, precision measurements of stellar orbits around the central massive black hole in the Galactic Center, the detection of gravitational waves from in-spiraling binary black holes and neutron stars with LIGO, and the detection of the central 'radio wave shadow' of the supermassive black hole in the galaxy M87 have suddenly opened the magical world of strongly curved spacetime to precision experimental tests. These experiments and much more to come from ground- and space-based gravitational wave studies have started a renaissance of interest in Einstein's theory.' Reinhard Genzel, Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics'Students and teachers of general relativity will welcome this new edition of Schutz' hugely popular text, significantly broadened to cover the astonishing discoveries of gravitational-wave astronomy and their implications. A pioneer of the geometrical approach to undergraduate-level teaching of GR, the book remains unmatched in its highly readable style. With vim and authority, Schutz leads his readers masterfully from mathematical foundations to the forefront of research in astronomy and cosmology, providing them with the tools to understand future discoveries. With this new edition, Schutz' classic text remains as fresh and relevant as ever.' Leor Barack, University of Southampton'An outstanding textbook on general relativity written with the author's customary clarity and in his engaging style. It includes not only the basics of general relativity, but also recent developments in the direct detection of gravitational waves. A clear exposition of the essential ideas and methods.' Rong-Gen Cai, Chinese Academy of Sciences'Professor Schutz' informal style bewitches the reader into absorbing profound and complex concepts effortlessly. Physics is explained in a lucid style with minimal mathematics, without compromising on rigour. The recent excitement in the field of gravitational waves and its implications for astronomy and cosmology is adeptly conveyed. This edition has been enriched with several more exercises which the student or the young researcher will find illuminating and instructive.' Sanjeev Dhurandhar, Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics'When I first taught from this book in the 1980s, my students and I loved it for its unusual combination of clarity and brevity. This third edition is not quite as brief because so much has happened in the subject! But for an all-around text with clear writing and an engaging style, it is still top of the class.' Clifford Will, University of Florida'A First Course in General Relativity by Bernard Schutz is an outstanding introductory text on Einstein's theory of general relativity and offers an invaluable resource for students interested in understanding the formal and physical foundations of modern spacetime theory.' Karim Thebault, University of Bristol'As with its previous editions, this textbook provides a fantastically accessible introduction to the key physical concepts of general relativity and the formalism used by its practitioners. The third edition gives a much-needed update accounting for discoveries since the previous edition, with the chapters on gravitational waves in particular serving as outstanding tutorials for students who are interested in astronomical applications of this subject.' Scott Hughes, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyTable of ContentsPreface to the third edition page; Preface to the second edition; Preface to the first edition; 1. Special relativity; 2. Vector analysis in special relativity; 3. Tensor analysis in special relativity; 4. Perfect fluids in special relativity; 5. Preface to curvature; 6. Curved manifolds; 7. Physics in a curved spacetime; 8. The Einstein field equations; 9. Fundamentals of Gravitational Radiation; 10. Spherical solutions for stars; 11. Schwarzschild geometry and black holes; 12. Gravitational wave astronomy; 13. Cosmology; Appendix A. Summary of linear algebra; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisA scientific and globetrotting exploration of the physics experiments changing the ways we understand our universe bringing the science of cosmology down to earth.Trade Review'A remarkable narrative that combines fundamental physics with high adventure' New Scientist'A travelogue that celebrates the blood, sweat and tears that drive our understanding of the universe' Guardian'Clean, elegant prose, humming with interest' Robert MacFarlane, author of The Wild Places'An accomplished and timely overview of modern cosmology and particle astrophysics' Nature'An excellent book. The author has a great knack of making difficult subjects comprehensible. I thoroughly enjoyed it' Sir Patrick Moore'Ananthaswamy displays a writer's touch for the fascinating detail... whether he is in an abandoned iron mine in Minnesota's Mesabi Range or the frigid Siberian expanse of Lake Baikal, he finds intrepid physicists and explains to us why these weird places are the only locations on the planet where these experiments could be done' Washington Post'Quite simply, the ultimate physics-adventure travelogue... as an adventure story and a fly-on-the-wall account of remote places that most of us will never visit, The Edge of Physics is brilliant' Physics World'A grand tour of modern day cosmology's sacred places... evocative... engaging... refreshing... a taste of science in the heroic mode' Sky At Night magazine'Smoothly weaves together the stories of people who help push science forward, from principal investigators to research institute gardeners, with exquisitely clear explanations of the questions they hope to solve - and why some research can be done only at the edge of the world' Science News'While Ananthaswamy... focuses heavily on the science, The Edge of Physics reads like a travel-adventure story or a work of fiction' Failure Magazine'From the top of Hawaii's Mauna Kea to Switzerland's Large Hadron Collider and more, Ananthaswamy paints a vivid picture of scientific investigations in harsh working conditions... even for readers who don't know a neutrino from Adam, these interesting tales of human endeavor make The Edge of Physics a trip worth taking' The BookPage'A stirring, scenic narrative... Ananthaswamy journeys to several geographically and scientifically extreme outposts, and returns not only with engaging portraits of the men and women who work there, but also a vibrant glimpse of how cutting-edge research is actually performed. Part history lesson, part travelogue, part adventure story, The Edge of Physics is a wonder-steeped page-turner' Seed Magazine'Physicists are trying to understand the furthest reaches of space and the furthest extremes of matter and energy. To do it, they have to trek to some of the furthest places on Earth from deep underground, to forbidding mountains, to the cold of Antarctica. Anil Anathaswamy takes us on a thrilling ride around the globe and around the cosmos, to reveal the real work that goes into understanding our universe' Sean Carroll, Caltech physicist and author of From Eternity to Here'Ananthaswamy's juxtaposition of extreme travel and extreme science offers a genuinely novel route into the story of modern cosmology... A well written and genuinely accessible tale of what it takes to push past the edge of human knowledge' Thomas Levenson, author of Newton and the Counterfeiter

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Book SynopsisProfessor Stephen Hawking has been at the heart of this new scientific renaissance.Now, in The Universe in a Nutshell, beautifully illustrated with original artwork commissioned for this project, Stephen Hawking brings us fully up-to-date with the advances in scientific thinking.Trade ReviewA Brief History of Time has now sold an estimated nine million copies worldwide - something of a hard act for its author to follow. In what is being promoted as the 'sequel' to that book, Professor Hawking gives an account of his attempt to combine Einstein's Theory of Relativity with Richard Feynman's idea of multiple histories, in order to reach the grail of a Theory of Everything - or big TOE, as it's charmingly named. This is a book about superstrings and p-branes, holography and supergravity, about how the 'cosmic seed' from which our universe derived was as small as a nut. The publishers are not yet releasing much text, but enough to see that it will be a fascinating (if challenging) read. And one enhanced throughout with 200 striking full colour illustrations and jazzed-up diagrams.

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Book Synopsis‘If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe’ - Carl SaganInspired by Sagan’s famous line, How To Make An Apple Pie From Scratch sets out on a journey to unearth everything we know about our universe: how it started, how we found out, and what we still have left to discover . . .‘Witty, approachable and captivating’ - Robin Ince‘A fascinating exploration of how we learned what matter really is’ - Sean CarrollWill we ever be able to understand the very first moments of the world we inhabit? What is matter really made of? How did anything survive the fearsome heat of the Big Bang?In pursuit of answers, we meet the scientists, astronomers and philosophers who brought us to our present understanding of the world – offering readers a front-row seat to the most dramatic journey human beings have ever embarked on.TED Talk speaker and academic Harry Cliff's How To Make An Apple Pie From Scratch is an essential, fresh and funny guide to how we got to where we are now – and what we have to come.‘A delightfully fresh and accessible approach to one of the great quests of science’ - Graham Farmelo‘Lays out not just what we know, but how we found out (and what is left to be discovered’ - Katie MackTrade ReviewCliff's engaging and personable writing style, along with his infectious enthusiasm, follows in the best traditions of Feynman and Sagan . . . a page-turner. -- Jim Al-KhaliliWitty, approachable and captivating . . . Every time you eat a pie, you'll find yourself contemplating the universe and why exactly there is one in the first place - a wild ride through the remarkable adventures and thoughts that have led to a species beginning to work out why it is and why everything else is too. -- Robin InceA fascinating exploration of how we learned what matter really is, and the journey matter takes from the Big Bang, through exploding stars, ultimately to you and me. -- Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of SpacetimeA delightfully fresh and accessible approach to one of the great quests of science . . . Harry Cliff has found a recipe for an easily digestible approach to this subject, and the results go down a treat. -- Graham Farmelo, author of The Strangest ManScience is all about successful recipes and here’s a mouthwateringly good one for life, the universe and everything. The cosmic detail in chef Cliff’s climactic de novo apple pie makes the efforts of celebrity cooks seem thin and insubstantial. -- Roger Highfield, Science Director at the Science MuseumCovers a vast amount of ground whilst remaining easy to read: from the birth of modern chemistry through to the very latest ideas in particle physics. All done with a light-hearted rigour . . . Brilliant. -- Jeff Forshaw, Professor of Particle Physics, University of ManchesterHow to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch lays out not just what we know, but how we found out (and what is left to be discovered), and gives us intriguing glimpses into the lives of the thinkers and tinkerers who put all the pieces together for us. -- Katie Mack, author of The End of Everything[An] outstanding book, sometimes as funny as The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy * Kirkus *Cliff is an expert writer who artfully takes on a complex subject in a comprehensible, entertaining, and humorous manner . . . Highly recommended. * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisIan Stewart (Author) Professor Ian Stewart is the author of many popular science books. He is the mathematics consultant for New Scientist and a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick. He was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize for furthering the public understanding of science, and in 2001 became a Fellow of the Royal Society.Terry Pratchett (Author) Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. In all, he was the author of over fifty bestselling books which have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood for services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any. www.terrypratchettbooks.comJack Cohen (Author) Dr Jack Cohen is an internationally-known reproductive biologist, and lives in Newent, Gloucestershire. Jack has a laboratory in his kitchen, helps couples get pregnant by referring them to colleagues, invents biologically realistic aliens for science fiction writers and, in his spare time, throws boomerangs. Jack, who has more letters to his name than can be repeated here, writes, lectures, talks and campaigns to promote public awareness of science, particularly biology. He is mostly retired.Trade ReviewSuperb, neatly fulfilling its goal of introducing science without being boring or didactic. This is a genuinely mind-expanding and very funny book. * Good Book Guide *Entertaining, instructive and illuminating * New Scientist *

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Book SynopsisIntroduction to General Relativity and Cosmology gives undergraduate students an overview of the fundamental ideas behind the geometric theory of gravitation and spacetime. Through pointers on how to modify and generalise Einstein's theory to enhance understanding, it provides a link between standard textbook content and current research in the field.Chapters present complicated material practically and concisely, initially dealing with the mathematical foundations of the theory of relativity, in particular differential geometry. This is followed by a discussion of the Einstein field equations and their various properties. Also given is analysis of the important Schwarzschild solutions, followed by application of general relativity to cosmology. Questions with fully worked answers are provided at the end of each chapter to aid comprehension and guide learning. This pared down textbook is specifically designed for new students looking for a workable, simple presentation of some of the key theories in modern physics and mathematics.

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Book SynopsisBrian Greene''s The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos explores our most current scientific understanding of the universe, the ''string theory'' that might hold the key to unifying nature''s laws, and our continuing quest to know more. There was a time when ''universe'' meant all there is. Everything. Yet, as physicist Brian Greene''s extraordinary book shows, ours may be just one universe among many, like endless reflections in a mirror. He takes us on a captivating exploration of parallel worlds - from a multiverse where an infinite number of your doppelgangers are reading this sentence, to vast oceans of bubble universes and even multiverses made of mathematics - showing just how much of reality''s true nature may be hidden within them. ''If extraterrestrials land tomorrow and demand to know what the human mind is capable of accomplishing ... hand them a copy of this book''  The New York Times Book Review ''A writer of exceptional clarity and charm ... every chapter opens level after level of previously unimaginable, mind-expanding realities''  Oliver Sacks ''The book serves well as an introduction to the multiverse and will open up many people''s eyes''  John Gribbin Brian Greene is well known to many fans as a populariser of theoretical physics. He is the author of the bestselling books about string theory, The Elegant Universe, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction, The Fabric of the Cosmos, and The Hidden Reality. Educated at Harvard and Oxford, he has taught at both Harvard and Cornell and has been Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Columbia University since 1996.Trade ReviewBrian Greene's book The Hidden Reality is a tour de force of one of the most controversial areas of modern science - the possibility that there are multiple universes... Greene's ability as a populariser has matured with each new publication and this latest offering is his best yet -- Alastair Gunn * Sky at Night *Exciting and rewarding ... captures and engages the imagination ... Greene has a gift for elucidating big ideas * New York Times *If extraterrestrials landed tomorrow and demanded to know what the human mind is capable of accomplishing, we could do worse than to hand them a copy of this book * New York Times Book Review *The book serves well as an introduction to the multiverse and will open up many people's eyes -- John GribbinEvery chapter opens level after level of previously unimaginable, mind-expanding realities -- Oliver Sacks

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for The Little Book of String Theory: "Gubser ... does a masterly job of introducing string theory in simple terms and without using math."--Library Journal Praise for The Little Book of String Theory: "Steven Gubser provides a brief introduction to this complicated topic, and condenses an enormous amount of information into this 'little book.'"--ForeWord Praise for The Little Book of String Theory: "You will probably finish the book more confused than when you started, but in the best possible way: with profound questions and a desire to learn more."--New Scientist

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an introduction to Einstein's general theory of relativity. A "physics-first" approach is adopted so that interesting applications come before the more difficult task of solving the Einstein equation. The book includes extensive coverage of cosmology, and is designed to allow readers to study the subject alone.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition This is a great time to have published a fresh new undergraduate text on relativity and cosmology...this is an excellent textbook which this reviewer would rate as the text of choice for a course on relativity and cosmology aimed at physics and astronomy undergraduates. * American Journal of Physics *Table of ContentsI: PRELIMINARIES; II: RELATIVITY - METRIC DESCRIPTION OF SPACETIME; III: COSMOLOGY; IV: RELATIVITY - FULL TENSOR FORMULATION

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Book SynopsisA rip-roaring tour of the cosmos with the Bad Astronomer, revealing the sky as never seen before—from everywhere but EarthTrade Review"A terrific guide to our spectacular universe...Plait is a skilled, resourceful and, on occasion, downright visionary guide to the far reaches of outer space. " -- Simon Ings - New Scientist"Plait has a well-deserved reputation as a lively and accurate communicator of cutting-edge science, and this universal tour guide offers a great opportunity for him to flex his explanatory muscles... this is a hugely enjoyable read that brings a new perspective to the cosmos. " -- Giles Sparrow - BBC Sky at Night Magazine"Vivid and tangible… Even a visit to the Moon, our closest and most familiar heavenly body, gave me fresh insights under Philip Plait’s guidance" -- Clive Cookson - Financial Times"Phil Plait takes us to nearby worlds and star systems far, far away, where we do plenty of exploration, a bit of astronomical science, and a lot of marveling. But it’s the descriptions of your spaceships and suits that will keep you strapped in and reading on. His flights of science fiction fantasy are scientific—and absolutely spectacular. Enjoy the rides." -- Bill Nye, CEO, The Planetary Society"A rollicking, wondrous, and awe-inspiring introduction to the universe. Phil Plait’s writing transports us to other worlds and in the process helps us to appreciate our own world." -- John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars and The Anthropocene Reviewed"Plait takes us on a cosmic journey—a vivid guidebook for space tourists in the distant future." -- Clive Cookson - Financial Times

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Book SynopsisThis graduate textbook covers the basic formalism of supergravity, as well as a wide range of its modern applications, suitable for a focused first course. Assuming a working knowledge of quantum field theory, it gives Ph.D. students the tools they need to do research that uses supergravity.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 About This Book 2 Foolish Assumptions 2 Icons Used in This Book 3 Beyond the Book 3 Where to Go from Here 4 Part 1: Getting Started with Astronomy 5 Chapter 1: Seeing the Light: The Art and Science of Astronomy 7 Astronomy: The Science of Observation 8 What You See: The Language of Light 10 They wondered as they wandered: Understanding planets versus stars 10 If you see a Great Bear, start worrying: Naming stars and constellations 12 The smaller, the brighter: Getting to the root of magnitudes 19 What do I spy? Spotting the Messier Catalog and other sky objects 20 Looking back on light-years 22 Keep on moving: Figuring the positions of the stars 23 Gravity: A Force to Be Reckoned With 26 Space: A Commotion of Motion 27 Chapter 2: Join the Crowd: Skywatching Activities and Resources 29 You’re Not Alone: Astronomy Clubs, Websites, Smartphone Apps, and More 30 Joining an astronomy club for star-studded company 30 Checking websites, magazines, software, and apps 31 Visiting Observatories and Planetariums 35 Ogling the observatories 35 Popping in on planetariums 39 Vacationing with the Stars: Star Parties, Eclipse Trips, Dark Sky Parks, and More 39 Party on! Attending star parties 40 Getting festive at an astro fest 42 Tapping into Astronomy on Tap 42 To the path of totality: Taking eclipse cruises and tours 42 Motoring to telescope motels 44 Chapter 3: Terrific Tools for Observing the Skies 47 Seeing Stars: A Sky Geography Primer 48 As Earth turns 48 keep an eye on the North Star 51 Beginning with Naked-Eye Observations 53 Using Binoculars or a Telescope for a Better View 56 Binoculars: Sweeping the night sky 56 Telescopes: When closeness counts 60 Planning Your First Steps into Astronomy 70 Chapter 4: Just Passing Through: Meteors, Comets, and Artificial Satellites 73 Meteors: Wishing on a Shooting Star 74 Spotting sporadic meteors, fireballs, and bolides 75 Watching meteor showers: No umbrella needed 77 Comets: Dirty Ice Balls or Icy Dirt Balls? 81 Making heads and tails of a comet’s structure 82 Waiting for the “comets of the century” 86 Hunting for the next great comet 87 Artificial Satellites: Enduring a Love–Hate Relationship 90 Skywatching for artificial satellites 91 Finding satellite viewing predictions 92 UFOs: Could some be aliens? 94 Part 2: Going Once Around the Solar System 95 Chapter 5: A Matched Pair: Earth and Its Moon 97 Putting Earth under the Astronomical Microscope 98 One of a kind: Earth’s unique characteristics 98 Spheres of influence: Earth’s distinct regions 100 Examining Earth’s Time, Seasons, and Age 102 Orbiting for all time 102 Tilting toward the seasons 104 Estimating Earth’s age 106 Making Sense of the Moon 107 Get ready to howl: Identifying phases of the Moon 108 In the shadows: Watching lunar eclipses 110 Cultivating an interest in the occult(ations) 112 Hard rock: Surveying lunar geology 113 Quite an impact: Considering a theory about the Moon’s origin 119 Chapter 6: Earth’s Near Neighbors: Mercury, Venus, and Mars 121 Mercury: Weird, Hot, and Mostly Metal 122 Dry, Acidic, and Hilly: Piercing the Veil of Venus 123 Dropping the ball: Probing Venus with DAVINCI+ and EnVision 125 Something in the air: Life in Venus’s clouds? 125 Red, Cold, and Barren: Uncovering the Mysteries of Mars 125 Where have almost all the air and water gone? (Long time passing) 126 Does Mars support life? 128 Differentiating Earth through Comparative Planetology 131 Observing the Terrestrial Planets with Ease 132 Understanding elongation, opposition, and conjunction 133 Viewing Venus and its phases 135 Watching Mars as it loops around 137 Outdoing Copernicus by observing Mercury 139 Chapter 7: Rock On: The Asteroid Belt and Near-Earth Objects 141 Taking a Brief Tour of the Asteroid Belt 141 Getting the Dirt on (and off) Asteroids 145 Understanding the Threat That Near-Earth Objects Pose 146 When push comes to shove: Nudging an asteroid 148 Forewarned is forearmed: Surveying NEAs to protect Earth 149 Searching for Small Points of Light 150 Helping to track an occultation 151 Timing an asteroidal occultation 152 Chapter 8: Great Balls of Gas: Jupiter and Saturn 153 The Pressure’s On: Journeying Inside Jupiter and Saturn 153 Almost a Star: Gazing at Jupiter 154 Scanning for the Great Red Spot 156 Shooting for Galileo’s moons 157 Our Main Planetary Attraction: Setting Your Sights on Saturn 161 Ringing around the planet 162 Storm chasing across Saturn 164 Monitoring a moon of major proportions 164 Venting about geysers on Enceladus 166 Chapter 9: Far Out! Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Beyond 169 Breaking the Ice with Uranus and Neptune 169 Bull’s-eye! Tilted Uranus and its features 170 Against the grain: Neptune and its biggest moon 171 Meeting Pluto, the Amazing Dwarf Planet 173 Defining Pluto the geophysical way 174 Getting to the heart of Pluto 174 Looking at Pluto’s makeup 177 The moon chip doesn’t float far from the planet 177 Buckling Down to the Kuiper Belt 178 Viewing the Outer Planets 180 Sighting Uranus 180 Distinguishing Neptune from a star 180 Straining to see Pluto 181 Hunting New Planet Number Nine 182 Part 3: Starting with Old Sol: Meeting Stars And Galaxies 185 Chapter 10: The Sun: Star of Earth 187 Surveying the Sunscape 188 The Sun’s size and shape: A great bundle of gas 189 The Sun’s regions: Caught between the core and the corona 189 Solar activity: What’s going on out there? 192 Solar wind: Playing with magnets 196 Solar CSI: The mystery of the missing solar neutrinos 197 Four billion and counting: The life expectancy of the Sun 198 Don’t Make a Blinding Mistake: Safe Techniques for Solar Viewing 199 Viewing the Sun by projection 199 Viewing the Sun through front-end filters 204 Fun with the Sun: Solar Observation 206 Tracking sunspots 206 Experiencing solar eclipses 208 Surfing solar observatories 212 Chapter 11: Taking a Trip to the Stars 215 Life Cycles of the Hot and Massive 216 Young stellar objects: Taking baby steps 217 Main sequence stars: Enjoying a long adulthood 218 Red giants and supergiants: Big and bigger 219 Closing time: Coming up on the tail end of stellar evolution 220 Star Color, Brightness, and Mass 226 Spectral types: What color is my star? 227 Star light, star bright: Luminosity classifications 228 The brighter they burn, the bigger they swell: Mass determines class 229 Making sense of the H-R diagram 230 Eternal Partners: Binary and Multiple Stars 232 Binary stars and the Doppler effect 232 Two stars are binary, but three’s a crowd: Multiple stars 234 Change Is Good: Variable Stars 235 Go the distance: Pulsating stars 236 Explosive neighbors: Flare stars 238 Nice to nova: Exploding stars 238 Stellar hide-and-seek: Eclipsing binary stars 241 Hog the starlight: Microlensing events 242 Your Stellar Neighbors 242 How to Help Scientists by Observing the Stars 245 Chapter 12: Galaxies: The Milky Way and Beyond 247 Unwrapping the Milky Way 248 How and when did the Milky Way form? 249 What shape is the Milky Way? 249 Where can you find the Milky Way? 251 Star Clusters: Meeting Galactic Associates 252 A loose fit: Open clusters 253 A tight squeeze: Globular clusters 255 Fun while it lasted: OB associations 256 Taking a Shine to Nebulas 257 Picking out planetary nebulas 259 Breezing through supernova remnants 261 Enjoying Earth’s best nebular views 261 Getting a Grip on Galaxies 264 Surveying spiral, barred spiral, and lenticular galaxies 265 Examining elliptical galaxies 266 Looking at irregular, dwarf, and low surface brightness galaxies 267 Gawking at great galaxies 268 Discovering the Local Group of galaxies 271 Checking out clusters of galaxies 272 Sizing up superclusters, cosmic voids, and great walls 272 Chapter 13: Falling for Black Holes and Quasars 275 Black Holes: Keeping Your Distance 275 Looking over the black hole roster 276 Poking around the black hole interior 277 Surveying a black hole’s surroundings 280 Warping space and time 281 Detecting black hole collisions 283 Watching stars get swallowed by black holes 284 Quasars: Defying Definitions 285 Measuring the size of a quasar 286 Getting up to speed on jets 287 Exploring quasar spectra 287 Active Galactic Nuclei: Welcome to the Quasar Family 288 Sifting through different types of AGN 288 Examining the power behind AGN 290 Questioning what ORCs are 291 Part 4: Pondering the Remarkable Universe 293 Chapter 14: Planets of Other Suns: Is Anybody Out There? 295 Discovering Alien Worlds 296 Changing ideas on exoplanets 296 Finding exoplanets 298 Meeting the (exo)planets 302 Catching Proxima fever: Focusing on red dwarfs 305 Finding Earth-class planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1 307 Checking out planets for fun and science 308 Astrobiology: How’s Life on Other Worlds? 309 Extremophiles: Living the hard way 309 Seeking life in the solar system 310 Using Drake’s Equation to Discuss SETI 313 SETI Projects: Listening for E.T. 316 The flight of Project Phoenix 317 Space scanning with other SETI projects 318 Hot targets for SETI 320 SETI@home 321 Chapter 15: Delving into Dark Matter and Antimatter 323 Dark Matter: Understanding the Universal Glue 323 Gathering the evidence for dark matter 324 Debating the makeup of dark matter 328 Taking a Shot in the Dark: Searching for Dark Matter 329 Looking for WIMPs and other microscopic dark matter 329 MACHOs: Making a brighter image 331 Mapping dark matter with gravitational lensing 331 Dueling Antimatter: Proving That Opposites Attract 333 Chapter 16: The Big Bang and the Evolution of the Universe 335 Evidence for the Big Bang 336 Inflation: A Swell Time in the Universe 337 Something from nothing: Inflation and the vacuum 339 Falling flat: Inflation and the shape of the universe 339 Dark Energy: The Universal Accelerator 340 Universal Info Pulled from the Cosmic Microwave Background 341 Finding the lumps in the cosmic microwave background 342 Mapping the universe with the cosmic microwave background 342 In a Galaxy Far Away: Standard Candles and the Hubble Constant 344 Standard candles: How do scientists measure galaxy distances? 344 The Hubble constant: How fast do galaxies really move? 345 The Fate of the Universe 346 Part 5: the Part of Tens 347 Chapter 17: Ten Strange Facts about Astronomy and Space 349 You Have Tiny Meteorites in Your Hair 349 A Comet’s Tail Often Leads the Way 350 Earth Is Made of Rare and Unusual Matter 350 High Tide Comes on Both Sides of Earth at the Same Time 350 On Venus, the Rain Never Falls on the Plain 350 Rocks from Mars Dot Earth 351 Pluto Was Discovered from the Predictions of a Wrong Theory 351 Sunspots Aren’t Dark 351 A Star in Plain View May Have Exploded, But No One Knows 352 The Same Supernova or Quasar May Be Seen in Different Places 352 Chapter 18: Ten Common Errors about Astronomy and Space 353 “The Light from That Star Took 1,000 Light-Years to Reach Earth” 353 There’s No Gravity in Space 354 Summer Comes When Earth Is Closest to the Sun 354 The Back of the Moon Is Dark 354 The “Morning Star” or “Evening Star” Is a Star 355 The Asteroid Belt Is Crowded 355 Nuking a “Killer Asteroid” on a Collision Course for Earth Will Save Us 355 The Sun Is an Average Star 356 The Hubble Space Telescope Gets Up Close and Personal 356 The Big Bang Is Dead 356 Part 6: Appendixes 357 Appendix A: Star Maps 359 Appendix B: Glossary 367 Index 373

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Book Synopsis A classic account of the psychedelic experienceThe Joyous Cosmology is Alan Watts’s exploration of the insight that the consciousness-changing drugs LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin can facilitate “when accompanied with sustained philosophical reflection by a person who is in search, not of kicks, but of understanding.” More than an artifact, it is both a riveting memoir of Watts’s personal experiments and a profound meditation on our perennial questions about the nature of existence and the existence of the sacred.Includes Watts’s article “Psychedelics and Religious Experience”

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Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling creator of Lost in Translation, A Small Illustrated Guide to the Universe is a delicately existential and welcoming exploration of the cosmos - one that examines and marvels at the astonishing principles, laws, and phenomena that we exist alongside, that surround us.Have you ever found yourself wondering what we might have in common with stars or why the Moon never leaves us? Thinking about the precise dancing of planets, the passing of time or the nature of natural things? Our world is full of unshakeable mystery, and although we live in a civilisation more complicated than ever, there is beauty and reassurance to be found in knowing how and why.

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Book SynopsisBlack holes seem like the stuff of science fiction, but the reality behind these astronomical objects is even more peculiar. So strong is the gravity within a black hole not even light can escape it, but that is just one piece of the puzzle. The science behind black holes is notoriously complex, but this concise introduction reveals how some general principles form the basis of our understanding of them, before exploring the possibilities of time travel, wormholes and spaghettification (not as tasty as it sounds!). Astronomer Dr Ed Bloomer gives you a whistle-stop guide to the fate of the Universe, the mechanics of a black hole and, most importantly, instructions for what to do should you fall into one! Discover how scientists detect these amazing phenomena and why you should probably avoid them at all costs.

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Book SynopsisThis book is the second edition of an excellent undergraduate-level overview of classical and modern physics, intended for students of physics and related subjects, and also perfectly suited for the education of physics teachers. The twelve-chapter book begins with Newton’s laws of motion and subsequently covers topics such as thermodynamics and statistical physics, electrodynamics, special and general relativity, quantum mechanics and cosmology , the standard model and quantum chromodynamics. The writing is lucid, and the theoretical discussions are easy to follow for anyone comfortable with standard mathematics.An important addition in this second edition is a set of exercises and problems, distributed throughout the book. Some of the problems aim to complement the text, others to provide readers with additional useful tools for tackling new or more advanced topics. Furthermore, new topics have been added in several chapters; for example, the discovery of extra-solar planets from the wobble of their mother stars, a discussion of the Landauer principle relating information erasure to an increase of entropy, quantum logic, first order quantum corrections to the ideal gas equation of state due to the Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics. Both gravitational lensing and the time-correction in geo-positioning satellites are explained as theoretical applications of special and general relativity. The discovery of gravitational waves, one of the most important achievements of physical sciences, is presented as well. Professional scientists, teachers, and researchers will also want to have this book on their bookshelves, as it provides an excellent refresher on a wide range of topics and serves as an ideal starting point for expanding one’s knowledge of new or unfamiliar fields. Readers of this book will not only learn much about physics, they will also learn to love it.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews of the first edition:Selected by Choice magazine as an "Outstanding Academic Title" for 2014“This is a very high-quality presentation. The writing is lucid, and the theoretical discussions are easy to follow for anyone comfortable with the mathematics. … the work is a valuable addition to college libraries. Professionals and researchers will also want it on their bookshelves; it provides an excellent refresher on a wide range of topics and can serve as a good starting point for expanding knowledge of new or unfamiliar subjects. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above.” (A. Spero, Choice, Vol. 51 (9), May, 2014)“It describes all the major developments and theories regarding the description of the universe we live on, from the very small to the very large. … I highly recommend this book to any physicist. It will not only be a fun and an easy read but also a useful revision of all the main concepts in physics. Undergraduate and graduate physics students definitely should read it. … appropriate for scientists in other fields who have a genuine interest for physics.” (Monica Pierri-Galvao, Contemporary Physics, April, 2014)Table of ContentsGravitation and Newton Laws.- Entropy, Statistical Physics and Information.- Electromagnetism and Maxwell's Equations.- Electromagnetic Waves.- Special Theory of Relativity.- Atoms and Quantum Theory.- Quantum Electrodynamics.- Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein Statistics.- Four Fundamental Forces.- General Relativity and Cosmology.- Unification of the Forces of Nature.- Physics and Life.

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Book SynopsisA leading astronomer and gifted teacher takes readers on a wondrous tour—'perfect for anyone who enjoyed Astrophysics for People in a Hurry' (Publishers Weekly)—of how science confronts the big questions about the origins, destiny, and fundamental nature of our universe   Humans have learned a lot about the world around us and the universe beyond. We have made powerful insights and created profound theories about the universe and everything in it. Surely the ultimate theory must be waiting, just beyond our current knowledge.   Well, maybe. In Into the Unknown, astrophysicist Kelsey Johnson takes us to the edge of scientific understanding about the universe: What caused the Big Bang? What happens inside black holes? Are there other dimensions? She doesn’t just celebrate what we know but rather what we don’t, and asks what it means if we never find that knowledge. Exploring the convergence of scien

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Book SynopsisThe Cosmos Explained is an exciting and beautifully designed book that charts the life of our universe from the Big Bang to the present day and beyond. Starting with the moment of the Big Bang—at exactly one ten-millionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second—this book charts a history of space and time all the way through the evolution of our solar system, the birth of stars and the formation of life on Earth, to the future of our galaxy and beyond. With deeply insightful and fascinating text by Hayden Planetarium Associate Professor Charles Liu, who also hosts the immensely popular StarTalk podcast, this book is an accessible and enthralling gateway into the mysteries of space, time and the universe.Pinpoint exactly where you are in space and time using the timeline at the bottom of every page, and explore the history of the cosmos and the science behind it through Trade ReviewWho would have thought learning about the evolution of the Universe could be so fun and easy to follow? It doesn’t sound possible when you’re tackling a subject as overarching as this, but Charles Liu has managed to turn complex scientific prose and mathematics into an accessible and beautifully presented retelling of its origins...Whether you’re a budding cosmologist or simply someone with a deep fascination for the Universe and how it came to be, this book is a great introduction to the subject. ★★★★★ * BBC Sky at Night Magazine *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for the previous edition:“What sets this book apart from other recent and older texts on string theory is that, while providing the level of detail in the derivation of all central results that is necessary for an introductory textbook, Kiritsis maintains a brisk and steady pace, and also includes a colloquial discussion of new concepts at the beginning of every section.”—Johannes Walcher, Mathematical Reviews“This textbook on string theory presents the state of the art of this quickly developing topic.”—Hans-Jürgen Schmidt, Zentralblatt MATH“An excellent reference for any graduate student interested in string theory. Kiritsis succinctly describes many of the recent developments that are necessary background to current research.”—Juan Maldacena, Institute for Advanced Study “There is a definite need for a short, speedy introduction to modern string theory. Kiritsis beautifully fills this gap—including all essential areas, but remaining relatively concise, so that a beginning student can work through the entire text.”—Andrew Strominger, Harvard University

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Book SynopsisOne of the major philosophical texts of the 20th century, Process and Reality is based on Alfred North Whitehead’s influential lectures that he delivered at the University of Edinburgh in the 1920s on process philosophy.Whitehead’s master work in philsophy, Process and Reality propounds a system of speculative philosophy, known as process philosophy, in which the various elements of reality into a consistent relation to each other. It is also an exploration of some of the preeminent thinkers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, such as Descartes, Newton, Locke, and Kant. The ultimate edition of Whitehead’s magnum opus, Process and Reality is a standard reference for scholars of all backgrounds.

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Book SynopsisOne of our great contemporary scientists reveals the ten profound insights that illuminate what everyone should know about the physical worldIn Fundamentals, Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek offers the reader a simple yet profound exploration of reality based on the deep revelations of modern science. With clarity and an infectious sense of joy, he guides us through the essential concepts that form our understanding of what the world is and how it works. Through these pages, we come to see our reality in a new way--bigger, fuller, and stranger than it looked before.Synthesizing basic questions, facts, and dazzling speculations, Wilczek investigates the ideas that form our understanding of the universe: time, space, matter, energy, complexity, and complementarity. He excavates the history of fundamental science, exploring what we know and how we know it, while journeying to the horizons of the scientific world to give us a glimpse of what we may soon discover. Brilliant, lucid, and accessible, this celebration of human ingenuity and imagination will expand your world and your mind.Trade ReviewA gorgeous and inviting overview of the fundamental facts of physical reality. -- Steven Pinker, Johnson Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of Enlightenment NowIf you were to go back just two hundred years and tell people what we knew, from the origins of the universe to the molecular basis of life, and how weird and unintuitive nature is at the atomic scale, they would think we were crazy. But if you showed them what we have created with that knowledge, they would think we were magicians. In this engaging and highly accessible book, Frank Wilczek shows how the vast edifice that is modern science was constructed with only a few ingredients and assumptions, but depended crucially on a way of thinking--about the nature of evidence and how it applied to the world around us. Anyone interested in the underlying basis of the complexity of today's science will enjoy this book. -- Venki Ramakrishnan, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and author of Gene MachineFrank Wilczek is not only one of the world's greatest physicists; he's also one of its greatest explainers. Fundamentals is lucid, beautiful, and revelatory. -- Steven Strogatz, professor of mathematics, Cornell University, and author of Infinite PowersWhether or not you're accustomed to reading physics for pleasure, the Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek's Fundamentals might be the perfect book for the winter of this plague year... Wilczek writes with breathtaking economy and clarity, and his pleasure in his subject is palpable... What a reader gets in Fundamentals is the native language of physics - mathematics - precisely translated by someone who has spent a lifetime (about a billion thoughts!) on these forces that shape our physical world -- Nell Freudenberger * The New York Times *This is an exuberant, gorgeously crafted, and intellectually thrilling book, written by one of our greatest living scientists yet hospitable to all. To be reminded that time and space, mystery and order, are so much stranger and more generous than we can comprehend-this is a gift to public life and moral imagination in a young century where what is visible and tangible feels chaotic and constricting. This book is also unexpectedly spiritually thrilling. Wilczek makes the remarkable move of picking up and evolving the classic scientists' faith that their investigations would reveal the mind of our maker, as well as Einstein's self-described 'cosmic spiritual sensibility.' What began as an exposition, as Wilzcek writes, 'grew into a contemplation.' The result is a profoundly enriched understanding, accessible to the religious and non-religious alike, of what it means to be human-and what we might be pointing at when we use the word God. -- Krista Tippett, host of On Being and author of Becoming Wise[Wilczek] turns out to be a true visionary * The Times *For those with more scientific yearnings, and who regret not taking a few courses in college to learn about the physical world, theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek offers a way to catch up . . . With his clear and joyful voice, Wilczek succeeds very well, and for good reason . . . There is no calculus required; this is not Physics 101. Instead, Wilczek talks about modern physics and cosmology from a more broad-brush and philosophical perspective, often linking their findings to the real world - how they affect us. In this age of rising skepticism, he wants his readers - whom he imagines to be lawyers, doctors, artists, parents or simply curious people - to be 'born again, in the way of science'. * Washington Post *A lucid and riveting narrative of the fundamentals-what Wilczek calls 'the central messages of modern physics,' which are not just facts about how the world works but also 'the style of thought that allowed us to discover them. * Scientific American *Mr. Wilczek's prose pulses with enthusiasm for its subject -- Christopher Levenick * Wall Street Journal *The universe at its grandest and most minuscule is explored in this beguiling meditation on physics. . . a stimulating and very readable scientific tour of the cosmos. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *...breathtaking feat . . . the narrative is a mind-bender of the first order-in the best way possible-but what makes it so engrossing is that the author does far more than just present the facts and speculations, however fascinating; on every page, readers will glean his exhilaration and joy in discovery . . . Another winner from Wilczek, who invites us to be born again into a richer, deeper understanding of the world. * Kirkus,starred review *This is a book about deep ideas, not passing fancies. It will teach you profound principles, not dry lists of facts. It's a rare treat indeed to get a glimpse into the mind of one of the world's leading physicists, presented in an engaging style that will be enjoyed by anyone at all. -- Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply HiddenHow is the universe put together? Beneath the bewildering clamor of the world around us, there lies a hidden realm of subtle mathematical beauty, a bedrock of fundamental principles in which all of nature is grounded. Few living scientists have accomplished more than Frank Wilczek in helping unveil that deeper layer of existence. With poetry and fervor, Wilczek takes us on a breathtaking journey to the frontiers of physics, and reminds us of just how privileged we human beings are to glimpse the foundations of reality. -- Paul Davies, Regents' Professor at Arizona State University and author of The Demon in the MachineA delightful book . . . Frank Wilczek is that rare creature: a first-class scientist who is also an extremely talented communicator. . . Wilczek constantly finds fresh ways to present such ideas, so that you emerge with new insight into what they mean. . . . Fundamentals is, then, not only an exceptional piece of science communication but also a deeply humanistic book * Physics World *Fundamentals is an engaging account of the history of humankind's understanding of reality, told by one of the key contributors to recent parts of that story. Wilczek's grasp on the physics he relates is comprehensive and authoritative; he conveys technicalities with a rare combination of accuracy and accessibility . . . Wilczek provides an exceptionally clear guide to the state of physical knowledge in the early 21st century, much in the spirit of the sort of explanation that the ancient Greeks desired * Science News *It's hard to imagine a better tour of fundamental physics than the one I got from Frank Wilczek here. Loved it -- Sam Harris, Twitter

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Book SynopsisEinstein''s theory of general relativity is a cornerstone of modern physics. It also touches upon a wealth of topics that students find fascinating black holes, warped spacetime, gravitational waves, and cosmology. Now reissued by Cambridge University Press, this ground-breaking text helped to bring general relativity into the undergraduate curriculum, making it accessible to virtually all physics majors. One of the pioneers of the ''physics-first'' approach to the subject, renowned relativist James B. Hartle, recognized that there is typically not enough time in a short introductory course for the traditional, mathematics-first, approach. In this text, he provides a fluent and accessible physics-first introduction to general relativity that begins with the essential physical applications and uses a minimum of new mathematics. This market-leading text is ideal for a one-semester course for undergraduates, with only introductory mechanics as a prerequisite.Trade Review'Jim Hartle's Gravity is a gem that offers a novel approach to general relativity pedagogy. It is written for senior level undergraduate physics students, but I expect it will be useful for a broader audience. The writing throughout is clear, methodical, and elegant, spiced with the author's characteristic dry sense of humor. His book is a fine contribution that extends the range of pedagogical choices available to instructors.' Jennie Traschen, Physics Today'Teaching general relativity at undergraduate level inevitably brings a dilemma: [whether] to be rigorous from the beginning, developing all the tools necessary to do it but risk discouraging the student with difficult new mathematics or to emphasize the physical aspects but risk being so qualitative that the full content of the theory cannot be grasped by the student. Hartle solves this dilemma in a quite consistent way. The flavour of the physics which relies on general relativity theory is preserved and, at the same time, the reader can, at the end, perform calculations by himself. What more could we ask for in an introductory book on this difficult and fascinating subject?' Júlio C. Fabris, Classical and Quantum Gravity'This is an excellent introduction to general relativity with a hands-on approach that is based on physical situations of interest like black holes and the expanding universe. It fills a real gap in the literature for an undergraduate or graduate course.' Stephen Hawking, University of Cambridge'… the best elementary introduction to general relativity ever written. It brings relativity fully within the grasp of undergraduates and should trigger the creation of general relativity courses at colleges and universities around the world.' Kip Thorne, California Institute of Technology'Hartle brings the beauty and excitement of relativistic gravitation to the appropriate undergraduate level via a remarkably accessible development. He uses many more familiar concepts to produce a broad understanding of the basic structure and applications of the theory. The pedagogy is remarkably effective.' Robert V. Wagoner, Stanford University'Hartle is an established master of the field and his competence assures that this book is authoritative. The book provides a striking combination of classical general relativity theory and the latest modern observational results.' Edwin F. Taylor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'… a truly novel approach. With Hartle's presentation, relativity is more than its dry mathematics; instead it is an elegant, curious, and intellectually vibrant subject that is central to many of the most intriguing questions in physics and astrophysics today.' Marc Kamionkowski, California Institute of Technology'This book should appeal to a new generation of physicists… It includes an excellent review of special relativity and provides a unified geometrical approach to both special and general relativity.' Hans Juergen Weber, University of Virginia'A very fine book by a leading expert. By concentrating on physical ideas and the very latest observational results, Hartle achieves his admirable aim of making general relativity accessible without relying on daunting mathematics. This book is likely to become a classic that every physics student should possess.' Jonathan Halliwell, Imperial College London'Professor Hartle is to be commended for writing such a fine and much needed introductory book on general relativity. With the right balance of physical ideas and mathematical details delivered in a clear style, this text will be welcomed.' Bei Lok Hu, University of Maryland'This book should make a major impact in undergraduate education. It is far clearer and more physically motivating than other texts. The exposition is at precisely the right level … clear worked examples and good problems make it especially useful.' Mike Hobson, University of Cambridge'… for decades, general relativity has largely been the purview of graduate students … Hartle's new book promises to change that. It provides an admirable overview of one of physics' most beautiful and increasingly relevant theories and can be understood with only a first mechanics class as a prerequisite. It should persuade many physics departments to offer general relativity as a routine part of the undergraduate curriculum.' Arthur Kosowsky, Rutgers University'… the ideal text for … an introductory course. In no other single text have I found all the up-to-date material that a modern physicist should know about gravity. At the same time, it is an excellent basis for more advanced study.' Dieter Brill, University of Maryland'This is probably my favourite book on GR at this level. It should appeal to those who also like the physics-first approach, and be accessible to those with an undergraduate-level understanding of mechanics.' Phillip Helbig, The ObservatoryTable of ContentsList of Boxes; Preface; Figure credits; Part I. Space and Time in Newtonian Physics and Special Relativity: 1. Gravitational physics; 2. Geometry as physics; 3. Space, time, and gravity in Newtonian physics; 4. Principles of special relativity; 5. Special relativistic mechanics. Part II. The Curved Spacetimes of General Relativity: 6. Gravity as geometry; 7. Description of curved spacetime; 8. Geodesics; 9. The geometry outside a spherical star; 10. Solar System tests of general relativity; 11. Relativistic gravity in action; 12. Gravitational collapse and black holes; 13. Astrophysical black holes; 14. A little rotation; 15. Rotating black holes; 16. Gravitational waves; 17. The universe observed; 18. Cosmological models; 19. Which universe and why?. Part III. The Einstein Equation: 20. A little more math; 21. Curvature and the Einstein equation; 22. The source of curvature; 23. Gravitational wave emission; 24. Relativistic stars; Appendix A. Units; Appendix B. Curvature quantities; Appendix C. Curvature and the Einstein equation; Appendix D. Pedagogical strategy; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Hands-On category""Welcome to the Universe in 3D, the ideal gift for star gazers of all ages, brings readers a built-in stereo viewer...that enables a 3D tour of the universe. Armchair astronomers can peer through the stereo viewer, page through nearly 60 double images of the solar system and take in three-dimensional images from as far away as 13.8 billion light years .... Cheaper than a telescope, this is a marvelous introduction to astronomy" * Shelf Awareness *

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Book SynopsisThe ideal gift for aspiring astronomers.The sights in our Solar System are dynamic reminders of our planet''s position as part of a larger neighbourhood. Study the ever-changing face of the Moon, watch the steady march of the planets against the stars, witness the thrill of a meteor shower, or the memory of a once-in-a-generation comet.In a few short generations, scientists have taken us from wondering about the nature of the Solar System to exploring every corner of it with advanced robotic probes, and inexpensive but powerful telescopes have become ubiquitous, allowing all of us to follow in the footsteps of Galileo as explorers.In this guide, you will learn how the Solar System came to be understood from ancient theories of its mechanics to the modern age of remote sensing, We''ll then look at the significant targets for amateur astronomers the Moon, Sun and planets to see how they can be explored by eye and with telescopes. We''ll discuss some of the more obscure but fascinatingTrade Review“… such an informative and concise read that any beginner would be wise to grab a copy.” BBC Sky at Night Magazine “High praise must be given for the photographs and diagrams that appear on each page: beautifully clear, accompanied with simple but to-the-point text… How he has packed so much in I do not know, but whatever his secret, it works.” BBC Sky at Night Magazine

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when a star dies? How many asteroids are in our solar system? Can galaxies collide? What is dark energy? Astronomy in Minutes answers all these questions and more as it condenses 200 key concepts into easily digestible essays. From Trojan asteroids to stellar black holes, and from superclusters to cosmic microwave background, this book will take you on an essential tour around the universe. Beginning with the specks and constellations that we see in the night sky, and then zooming in on the objects and 'matter' beyond the naked eye, Astronomy in Minutes draws on established theories and recent research. Each essay is accompanied by an image or a clear diagram to help unravel complex ideas. Beginning with the constellations and finishing with the latest cosmological theories, this is the perfect reference guide to this fascinating subject. Contents include: The celestial sphere, Piscis Austrinus, the Earth-Moon system, Io and Ganymede, Kuiper Belt Objects, Measuring stellar properties, Nuclear fusion, Red and orange dwarfs, Open star clusters, Planetary nebulae, Supernova remnants, Cosmic expansion, Quasars and blazars, Nature of spacetime, Nucleosynthesis and the Anthropic Principle.

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Book SynopsisThis is a uniquely comprehensive and detailed treatment of the theoretical and observational foundations of modern cosmology, by a Nobel Laureate in Physics. It gives up-to-date and self contained accounts of the theories and observations that have made the past few decades a golden age of cosmology.Trade ReviewA stimulating source of intellectual excitement. [...] While the relevant technical aspects of the presentation can only be fully appreciated after a careful reading, a clear message emerges with vigour after the first reading: atomic physics, nuclear physics, field theory, high-energy physics and general relativity all come together in the description of our universe. In other words, Cosmology provides a vivid example of the basic unity of physics, which is something to bear in mind during the decades to come. * CERN Courier *A technical tour de force for the intrepid graduate student, Weinberg's new book will greatly appeal to particle physicists tooling up in cosmology and be an indispensable source for the practitioner. * Physics Today *With his unsurpassed ability to explain even the most difficult mathematical and conceptual steps with a few strokes of his pen, Weinberg takes the reader from the basics of cosmological kinematics and dynamics (space-time geometry, cosmological expansion, the Friedmann equation, thermal history) to advanced topics, such as the growth of structures, inflation and gravitational lenses. * Mathematical Reviews *A tour de force that even established cosmologists will learn from. Any scientist interested in cosmology should read it.Steven Weinberg's "Cosmology" is a thorough, graduate-level introduction to the field, which incorporates the frenzied developments since his 1972 classic, "Gravitation and Cosmology". This is sure to be another hit. * New Scientist *Table of Contents1. The Expansion of the Universe ; 2. The Cosmic Microwave Radiation Background ; 3. The Early Universe ; 4. Inflation ; 5. General Theory of Cosmological Fluctuations ; 6. Evolution of Cosmological Fluctuations ; 7. Anisotropies in the Microwave Sky ; 8. The Growth of Structure ; 9. Gravitational Lensing ; 10. Fluctuations from Inflation ; Appendices ; A. Some Useful Numbers ; B. Review of General Relativity ; C. Energy Transfer Between Radiation and Electrons ; D. The Ergodic Theorem ; E. Gaussian Distributions ; F. Newtonian Cosmology ; G. Photon Polarization ; H. The Relativistic Boltzmann Equation ; Notation ; Glossary of Symbols ; Assorted Problems

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Book SynopsisIn this short book, renowned theoretical physicist and author Carlo Rovelli gives a straightforward introduction to Einstein''s General Relativity, our current theory of gravitation. Focusing on conceptual clarity, he derives all the basic results in the simplest way, taking care to explain the physical, philosophical and mathematical ideas at the heart of ?the most beautiful of all scientific theories?. Some of the main applications of General Relativity are also explored, for example, black holes, gravitational waves and cosmology, and the book concludes with a brief introduction to quantum gravity. Written by an author well known for the clarity of his presentation of scientific ideas, this concise book will appeal to university students looking to improve their understanding of the principal concepts, as well as science-literate readers who are curious about the real theory of General Relativity, at a level beyond a popular science treatment.Trade Review'General relativity is the most beautiful physical theory we have, and plays an increasingly central role in modern physics. Carlo Rovelli's introduction is both concise and comprehensive, written by a master of exposition as well as of the material. I envy anyone encountering these ideas for the first time.' Sean M. Carroll, Caltech; author of Spacetime and Geometry'This book addresses general relativity at a more sophisticated level than in a popular-level account, emphasizing conceptual understanding and results over the mathematical details of a standard textbook. Most impressive is the author's ability to distil important concepts into pithy statements illustrating deep physical insight. Rovelli's concise book provides a solid grounding in the conceptual framework of general relativity as a starting point.' Mike Guidry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; author of Modern General Relativity'The book is interesting, well written, and fills an otherwise vacant niche. Recommended.' Phillip Helbig, The Observatory'Rovelli is a well-published author of popular and advanced physics books, primarily in loop quantum gravity. His latest effort is an introduction to Einstein's general relativity, written with precision in the concise style for which he is acclaimed … Recommended.' J. F. Burkhart, Choice ConnectTable of ContentsWhat is General Relativity? Part I. Bases: 1. Physics: a field theory for gravity; 2. Philosophy: what are space and time? 3. Mathematics: curved space; Part II. The Theory: 4. Basic equations; 5. Action; 6. Symmetries and interpretation; Part III. Applications: 7. Newtonian limit; 8. Gravitational waves; 9. Cosmology; 10. The field of a mass; 11. Black holes; 12. Elements of quantum gravity; Index.

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Book SynopsisAstrobiology, the study of life and its existence in the universe, is one of the hottest areas of scientific research. Lewis Dartnell considers some of the fascinating questions facing researchers today. Could life exist anywhere else in the universe? What might aliens really look like? Dartnell explains why Earth is uniquely suited for life and reveals our profound connection to the cosmos.Trade Review"Dartnell’s guide is much-needed overview of a discipline extending across life, the Universe and everything. Demanding read, but definitely rewarding" * BBC Sky at Night *"Explores the latest theories for how life came to evolve on Earth, and adds fascinating speculations on the prospects for finding it elsewhere." * The Times *"Dartnell explores the latest theories for how life came to evolve on Earth, and adds fascinating speculations on the prospects for finding it elsewhere." * The Times *"If one were to read a single book on astrobiology, this would be an excellent choice." * Choice *"Few books are more wide-ranging and thought-provoking than Life in the Universe, an excellent introduction to the emerging science of astrobiology." * Oxford Today *"If one were to read a single book on astrobiology, this would be an excellent choice… The book is a must for the newcomer to astrobiology and an excellent resource for anyone wishing to expand their understanding of the subject." * Choice *"Dartnell's style is direct, easy to follow and the subject matter comprehensive." * The Biologist *"Quite simply, this is a fantastic book… I recommend it for anyone with an interest in astrobiology in particular, biology in general, life, the universe and everything." * Microbiology Today *"A much-needed overview of a discipline extending across life, the universe, and everything." * BBC Sky at Night *

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Book SynopsisA BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK''A stunning and unforgettable voyage through the stars'' STEPHEN FRY''Trotta writes like a poet'' WALL STREET JOURNAL''Will leave readers viewing the stars with fresh eyes'' MARTIN REES''A powerful call to preservation'' SEAN CARROLLA sweeping inquiry into how the night sky has shaped what it means to be human.One of our species'' most enduring and universal relationships is with the night sky itself. Across the ages, the stars have served as clocks, maps, compasses, muses and gods, defining our laws of reality and our dreams of the sublime. How radically different would we be if we looked to the night sky and saw . . . nothing? Leading cosmologist Roberto Trotta explores how stargazing has shaped the course of civilisation and offers a dramatic alternate history - imagining how a world without stars would change our understanding of scien

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Book SynopsisSeth Lloyd is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT and a principal investigator at the Research Laboratory of Electronics. He is also adjunct assistant professor at the Santa Fe Institute. His seminal work in the fields of quantum computation and quantum communications has gained him a reputation as an innovator and leader in the field of quantum computing. He has written numerous articles for Nature, New Scientist, Science and Scientific American. He lives in Cambridge, MassachusettsTrade ReviewSeth Lloyd is an authoritative and often funny guide to this head-bending stuff...startlingly novel -- Stephen Poole * Guardian *Lloyd does an excellent job of explaining all this in clear, accessible language... I urge you to buy the book -- John Gribbin * Independent *Visionary and fun * New York Times *His excellent book explains the science in terms as simple as one could hope for -- Andrew Crumey * Scotland on Sunday *Lloyd thinks he has found a new way to explain one of the most basic questions in science: Why is the world so complex?... Fascinating and profoundly comforting... Seth Lloyd certainly gives his readers a lot of bang for their buck * The New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisPaul Davies'' The Goldilocks Enigma: Why is the Universe Just Right for Life? gets to the heart of what makes the universe tick - and what makes our place in it so special. It''s not too hot, it''s not too cold, and its forces act together in a way that''s just right: why does the universe seem so perfectly tailor-made for life to exist? Paul Davies, one of the world''s most acclaimed science writers, shows how everything from the humble carbon atom to the speed of light and the laws of physics themselves interact. He asks: is there a theory of everything within our grasp? If there was a big bang, what happened before it? Is there on universe or many? Could we exist within an endless time loop? ''This is popular science as home to the really big questions''  Independent Books of the Year ''Beautifully judged''  Guardian ''Britain''s most eminent cosmologist ... Davies is effortle

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Book SynopsisCHOSEN AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE GUARDIAN, DAILY TELEGRAPH, NEW STATESMAN AND BBC SCIENCE FOCUS''An intimate, unique, and inspiring perspective on the life and work of one of the greatest minds of our time. Filled with insight, humour, and never-before-told stories, it''s a view of Stephen Hawking that few have seen and all will appreciate'' James Clear, author of Atomic HabitsAn icon of the last fifty years, Stephen Hawking seems to encapsulate genius: not since Albert Einstein has a scientific figure held such a position in popular consciousness. In this enthralling memoir, writer and physicist Leonard Mlodinow tells the story of his friend and their collaboration, offering an intimate account of this giant of science. The two met in 2003, when Stephen asked Leonard if he would consider writing a book with him, the follow up to the bestselling A Brief History of Time. As they spent years working on a seconTrade ReviewA very fine book indeed. Mlodinow is himself a physicist of some distinction, but he is also a very skilled writer. Writing of the stubbornness that enabled Hawking to pursue theoretical physics despite his motor neurone disease, he says, "It allowed his spirit to dance in the prison of his limp body." The great merit of this book is to convey so vividly the dance, the spirit and the prison -- Ray Monk * New Statesman Books of the Year *Even Stephen Hawking's brain was not a computer; fellow physicist Leonard Mlodinow provides a warm and three-dimensional portrait of a brilliant and stubborn human being, rather than simply a genius in a chair * Daily Telegraph Books of the Year *One of the most touching biographies of the year shows the human side of the great physicist Stephen Hawking, as seen by his friend and collaborator Leonard Mlodinow. With admirably easy-to-grasp digressions into favourite subjects such as Einstein, dark energy and black holes, Mlodinow tells us about Hawking the man -- Katy Guest * Guardian Books of the Year *A personal and intellectual biography - and tremendously entertaining. . . Leonard Mlodinow is himself a theoretical physicist, and a brilliant writer to boot. . . Five stars -- Daily Telegraph * Steven Poole *Hawking's collaborator retells his story with humour and fondness, and helps us know the famous scientist as he really was. . . Highly enjoyable. . . a tender account, full of genuine affection, which doesn't shy away from Hawking's intense focus, self-centredness and unpredictability -- Guardian * Jim Al-Khalili *A compelling read. . . fresh and worthwhile. As a serious theoretical physicist who co-wrote two books with Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow saw the great man from a unique vantage point. He can delve into intimate details and survey the intellectual high ground -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Leonard Mlodinow has done the impossible. He has skillfully woven together a thoughtful, insightful, intimate, and engaging portrait of Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest minds of our times, while being scrupulously faithful to the physics. Hawking would have been proud of this book -- Michio KakuStartlingly good ... What really comes over is his modest delight that he made a friend of such an eminent man. Mlodinow explains the science with a clarity and an elegance. You will learn from this what you signally failed to learn from A Brief History of Time -- Daily MailStephen Hawking was a unique scientist and person, and Leonard Mlodinow's book is a unique glimpse into how he worked and lived. As educational as it is touching, this is a deeply human look at a mind that spanned the cosmos -- Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply HiddenDespite the acclaim, there is still much to discover about Steven Hawking ... theoretical physicist Leonard Mlodinow offers an intimate glimpse inside the famous scientist's life * New Scientist *Hugely enjoyable. . . fresh and compelling. Instead of the spellbound exaltation of a great mind, it is a humane and intimate portrayal of a brilliant scientist. It is also written from a special vantage point. Mlodinow, a theoretical physicist and gifted author, spent several years working with Hawking, co-writing two books. Their working sessions form the narrative backbone of this emotionally satisfying and intellectually stimulating memoir John Paul Rathbone, Financial Times -- Financial Times * John Paul Rathbone *An intimate, unique, and inspiring perspective on the life and work of one of the greatest minds of our time. Filled with insight, humour, and never-before-told stories, it's a view of Stephen Hawking that few have seen and all will appreciate -- James Clear, author of Atomic HabitsStephen Hawking surpassed science and touched the world with his transcendent genius and heroic courage that inspired millions. In this intimate memoir, his long-time friend and physics collaborator Leonard Mlodinow, one of the finest science writers of our time, shares insights into Hawking that humanizes him while also revealing what made him one of history's greatest minds -- Michael Shermer, author of The Believing Brain

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Book SynopsisThe book explores the surprising connections between the study of the universe on the largest scales, and the physics of the infinitely small, and investigates the extraordinary potential of multi-messenger astronomy to provide answers to the key questions of fundamental physics and thus revolutionise our understanding of the universe.Trade ReviewThe author lets his enthusiasm for the subject and its research enterprises shine through, which is an excellent feature * Dave Pike, The Observatory *Particularly timely, and of great appeal to a wide readership from the professional scientist to the intelligent layperson * Professor Sir James Hough, University of Glasgow *A timely, engrossing, witty yet scholarly work, this book is essential reading for anybody interested in the cutting edge of cosmology. Prof. Bertone is an expert guide with the rare gift of presenting complex ideas in an accessible, original and compelling way. An armchair journey to the limits of the known universe and beyond! * Professor Roberto Trotta, Imperial College London and International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) *This is an excellent book that will convey to the lay public the excitement of recent discoveries that are bringing us novel and even revolutionary insights about the nature of the cosmos we inhabit * Professor Abhay Ashtekar, Director of the Institute for Gravitational Physics and Geometry at Pennsylvania State University *A clear and readable account of humanity's fascination with the cosmos, from ancient times to the Nobel prizewinning observation of gravitational waves. Explains the triumphs and crises of current theories of the origin and structure of the universe in simple, accessible terms. Enjoyable and informative * Professor Ian Stewart FRS, author of Calculating the Cosmos *An intriguing blend of cosmic mysteries and observational probes, with a delightfully accessible approach * Joseph Silk, Homewood Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University *A lively introduction to the newly emerging field of multi-messenger astronomy, outlining the certainties and possibilities as well as the intriguing open questions - a must-read for young minds who want to venture into this new and exciting journey of cosmic exploration * Priyamvada Natarajan, astrophysicist and author of Mapping the Heavens: The Radical Scientific Ideas That Reveal the Cosmos *With equal parts flair and sophistication, Bertone takes us on an incredible tour of our universe's greatest mysteries. The language is at times so evocative you might forget you're actually learning something! * Dan Hooper, Head of the Theoretical Astrophysics Group, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago *In this charming book, Gianfranco Bertone considers puts cutting-edge ideas -- black holes, dark energy, inflationary cosmology -- into their proper context as part of humanity's ongoing quest to understand the universe. Wonderfully written, Tale of Two Infinities manages to illuminate cosmic vistas while never losing sight of the human perspective * Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime *The detection of gravitational waves in 2015 was just the beginning. The insatiably curious seeking context and some sense of the promise of these new starry messengers should look no further. Gianfranco Bertone is a sure guide, and A Tale of Two Infinities is an engaging tour * Jim Baggott, author of Quantum Reality *The recent developments in Cosmology have shown that the infinitely big (the Universe) and the infinitely small (fundamental forces and particles, structure of spacetime at the microscopic, subatomic level) have never been so close to each other. Physicists studying both "infinities" ask the same questions and look for the same answers. The reader will feel comfortably cradled between these two infinities. The text manages to present the latest, on-going "revolution" brought about by the recent direct detection of gravitational waves in a simple way yet respecting and reflecting the deep meaning of it. Enjoy! * Licia Verde, ICREA professor, Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos (ICC), University of Barcelona *Table of ContentsThe architecture of the cosmos 9 Spheres of heaven Dark foundations Cosmic inferno Stories of a certain Gravity Queen of the cosmos The order of heaven The most beautiful theory The new messengers Gravitational waves Einstein's last gift Ghost Particles Black Holes Phenomenology of the absurd Quantum effects Upcoming waves Dark Matter Halos, streams, and lenses New Physics New portals Dark Energy Possible explanations Quantum origins The future Quantum genesis In the beginning Inflation Primordial waves

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Book SynopsisThe astonishing science of black holes, and their role in understanding the history and future of our universe.Trade Review"Black holes were originally flights of theoretical fancy, difficult for even professional physicists to wrap their brains around. In Einstein's Monsters, Chris Impey shows how modern astronomy has brought them into vivid focus, and conveys how much more we're learning about these extreme beasts with every passing year." -- Sean Carroll"In Einstein's Monsters, Impey provides a history of black holes and an overview of investigations into their supremely counter-intuitive behaviour...[he] addresses the seeming absurdities of [the] subject with authority and wit." -- Nature"Impey skilfully weaves a fascinating tale out of the work and ideas of the scientists who... pieced together the history of black holes by understanding the evolution of stars and how they can, depending on their mass, end up as white dwarfs, ultra-dense neutronstars, rapidly spinning pulsars or as an exploding supernova." -- Financial Times"Einstein's Monsters cuts through the "fiendishly complex" mathematics to set out the evidence for black holes, and how they are born and die." -- Times Higher Education"Impey does an admirable job describing multiple facets of the often contradictory field of black hole astrophysics... Einstein's Monsters will be sure to capture the imagination of most who pick it up, simultaneously convincing the reader that these monsters, while in fact quite certainly real, should be loved and not feared." -- Science"The book gives an awe-inspiring account of the complexity and beauty of black holes that were there before our Galaxy formed and will probably be there after everything else has been shredded apart by the forces of an ever-expanding Universe." -- Nature"Astronomer Impey's accessible approach breaks down complex scientific concepts with ease and flair, name-checking everyone from Edgar Allen Poe to Pink Floyd as he lays out what we think we know about black holes—and what remains mysterious." -- Discover

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Book SynopsisA masterly overview of the development of cosmological thinking from the Greeks, via Newton and Einstein, to the present day.

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Book SynopsisExplores the relationship between the human soul and the stars, which has been central to Western thought and other cultures for thousands of years.Trade Review'Two conferences initiated by the Sophia Centre at Bath Spa University last year resulted in the publication of Sky and Psyche...in which astrologers and others reflect on the relationship between the human soul and the stars. Their intention was 'not to come up with conclusions but to exchange ideas'; they have succeeded admirably.'--The Christian Parapsychologist, Dec 2006'The 12 chapters here each have the potential to inspire, depending on the reader's own contact with psyche. Those who see the sky as little more than a medium for cheap flights for escapist holidays are, sadly, unlikely to choose this book for aeroplane reading but if they did one might expect almost a human alchemical insight.'--Northern Earth, Dec. 2006'Complex ideas are presented not only with clarity but also as expressions of the numinous. Some sections were challenging, others almost read as poetry or as song. I loved this book because it has emerged from a different discipline, and has served to illumine my own as an artist, and has left me refreshed, uplifted and inspired.'--Inner Light Magazine, Spring 2007'They are more than lectures. As the reader I can feel myself being personally addressed by the various contributors speaking out of professional and life experience … This book could be a rare, nourishing wellspring for life, for the amateur and professional soul carer.'-- Anita Large, Perspectives, June - August 2007'There is no doubt that its various authors have combined to create a book of considerable importance, and one that can be strongly recommended to astrologers, psychotherapists, and all who are concerned with trying to understand our place within the cycle and images of the world.'-- Mike Harding, Correlation: Astrological Association Journal of Research in AstrologyTable of ContentsIntroduction: Sky and Psyche: Heaven and Soul by Nicholas CampionPart I: The Alchemical Sky1. Love and the Alchemical Saturn by Liz Greene2. The Azure Vault: The Caelum as Experience by James HillmanPart II: Sky and Psyche3. Chartres Cathedral and the Role of the Sun in the Cathedral's Christian Platonist Theology by Bernadette Brady4. Life Across the Cosmos by Neville Brown5. Imagining Eternity: Weaving 'The Heavens' Embroidered Cloths' by Jules Cashford6. The Soul of the Sky by Noel Cobb7. The Russian Spirit of Place by Cherry Gilchrist8. A Dimensional Model for the Relationship of Consciousness and Cosmos: Mathematical Abstraction versus Conscious Experience by Robert Hand9. Sun Gods and Moon Deities in Africa by Jarita C. Holbrook10. Where the Heavens Meet the Earth: Inspirations from the Lives of Carl Jung, Jalal-u-din Rumi and Mahatma Ghandi by Nicholas Pearson11. Understanding the Modern Disenchantment of the Cosmos by Richard Tarnas12. The Secret Life of Statues by Angela Voss

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1973, this influential work discusses Einstein''s General Theory of Relativity to show how two of its predictions arise: first, that the ultimate fate of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse to form ''black holes''; and second, that there was a singularity in the past at the beginning of the universe. Starting with a precise formulation of the theory, including the necessary differential geometry, the authors discuss the significance of space-time curvature and examine the properties of a number of exact solutions of Einstein''s field equations. They develop the theory of the causal structure of a general space-time, and use it to prove a number of theorems establishing the inevitability of singularities under certain conditions. A Foreword contributed by Abhay Ashtekar and a new Preface from George Ellis help put the volume into context of the developments in the field over the past fifty years.Trade Review'The book is a masterpiece, written by sure hands.' Science'Certain to rank as an outstanding classic of the current advance of relativity theory.' Contemporary Physics'La parution de ce livre est un événement important …' La Recherche'This special 50th anniversary republication of this famous monograph is well welcome addtion to the community. This text helped lay the groundwork for gravitational research for the next 50 years; inspiring and educating generations of researchers. I recommend this text to anyone who is interested in learning the foundation of gravitational research.' Kymani Tieral Keden Armstrong-Williams, https://physicsbookreviewer.blogspot.com/Table of ContentsForeword to the Anniversary Edition Abhay Ashtekar; Preface to the Anniversary Edition George F. R. Ellis; Preface; 1. The role of gravity; 2. Differential geometry; 3. General relativity; 4. The physical significance of curvature; 5. Exact solutions; 6. Causal structure; 7. The Cauchy problem in General Relativity; 8. Space-time singularities; 9. Gravitational collapse and black holes; 10. The initial singularity in the universe; Appendixes; References; Notation; Index.

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Book SynopsisRichly illustrated with the images from observatories on the ground and in space, and computer simulations, this book shows how black holes were discovered, and discusses what we''ve learned about their nature and their role in cosmic evolution. This thoroughly updated third edition covers new discoveries made in the past decade, including the discovery of gravitational waves from merging black holes and neutron stars, the first close-up images of the region near a black hole event horizon, and observations of debris from stars torn apart when they ventured too close to a supermassive black hole. Avoiding mathematics, the authors blend theoretical arguments with observational results to demonstrate how both have contributed to the subject. Clear, explanatory illustrations and photographs reveal the strange and amazing workings of our universe. The engaging style makes this book suitable for introductory undergraduate courses, amateur astronomers, and all readers interested in astronomyTrade Review'Gravity's Fatal Attraction has masterfully enlightened two decades of my undergraduates with its spellbinding examination of the astrophysical roles of black holes in our cosmos – this updated edition, including the latest black-hole breakthroughs, will remain a peerless resource for years to come.' Niel Brandt, Pennsylvania State University'In this singular book, Mitchell Begelman and Martin Rees lead us on a masterful tour of the mysterious physics, astronomical reality, and wonder of black holes.' Philip Armitage, Stony Brook University'A remarkably readable and insightful exposition of nature's most exotic objects by two of the world's leading astrophysicists. This new edition brings the reader right up to the frontiers of the field, including discussions of the gravitational waves that we have now observed from merging black holes, as well as the remarkable advancements in event horizon imaging.' Christopher Reynolds, University of Cambridge'Gravity's Fatal Attraction is an ideal book for those wanting to learn more about the fascinating physics of black holes and the Universe in a way that is technical rather than science fiction, but still readable and never condescending or needlessly mathematical.' Katie Sawers, Astronomy NowTable of ContentsPreface to the Third Edition; 1. Gravity Triumphant; 2. Stars and Their Fates; 3. Black Holes in Our Backyard; 4. Galaxies and Their Nuclei; 5. Quasars and Kin; 6. Jets; 7. Blasts from the Past; 8. Black Holes in Hibernation; 9. Cosmic Feedback; 10. Postcards from the Edge; 11. Gravitational Waves; 12. Through the Horizon; Appendix: Gravity and Cosmic Dimensions; Further Reading; Index.

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Book SynopsisNumerical relativity has emerged as the key tool to model gravitational waves - recently detected for the first time - that are emitted when black holes or neutron stars collide. This book provides a pedagogical, accessible, and concise introduction to the subject. Relying heavily on analogies with Newtonian gravity, scalar fields and electromagnetic fields, it introduces key concepts of numerical relativity in a context familiar to readers without prior expertise in general relativity. Readers can explore these concepts by working through numerous exercises, and can see them ''in action'' by experimenting with the accompanying Python sample codes, and so develop familiarity with many techniques commonly employed by publicly available numerical relativity codes. This is an attractive, student-friendly resource for short courses on numerical relativity, as well as providing supplementary reading for courses on general relativity and computational physics.Trade Review'Computational general relativity has now become a central tool for the exploration of the astrophysical universe, and gravitational-wave astronomy would not be possible without it. A burgeoning or seasoned astrophysicist who wishes to be up to date must therefore acquire an awareness of the field's methods and main achievements. But where to begin? With this book! Baumgarte and Shapiro are leading experts (indeed, founding experts) of this field, and with their trademark lucid and engaging prose, they take us gently by the hand on a comprehensive guided tour. Mysterious notions (lapse, shift, extrinsic curvature, constraint equations) are introduced seamlessly, and the book features a gallery of the field's most important results to date. A superb achievement for the great benefit of the scientific community.' Eric Poisson, University of Guelph; author of A Relativist's Toolkit'Numerical relativity well deserves its reputation as a subject of great beauty yet prodigious conceptual difficulty and daunting technical complexity. This outstanding text, by two leading practitioners of the field, is a wonderful Rosetta Stone for those seeking an efficient path toward a working knowledge of the subject. For me it will serve as an essential reference. I'm sorry only that it was not available sooner.' Robert Eisenstein, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'This is an excellent book explaining the general relativistic two-body problem and its numerical treatment in a highly pedagogical manner to a broad scientific audience. Besides the main topic, readers will also gain some unexpected insight and new viewpoints on numerous wider aspects of Einstein's theory.' Ulrich Sperhake, University of Cambridge'Black holes and gravitational waves are, thanks to new observations, fast-advancing frontiers of astronomy that attract wide interest. Their implications are best addressed by powerful computers, so this text, by two acknowledged world experts, is especially welcome and timely.' Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal; author of Gravity's Fatal AttractionTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Newton's and Einstein's gravity; 2. Foliations of spacetime: constraint and evolution equations; 3. Solving the constraint equations; 4 Solving the evolution equations; 5. Numerical simulations of black-hole binaries; Epilogue; Appendix A. A brief review of tensor properties; Appendix B. A brief introduction to some numerical techniques; Appendix C. A very brief introduction to matter sources; Appendix D. A summary of important results; Appendix E. Answers to selected problems; References; Index.

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