We Have No Idea

We Have No Idea

Author: Jorge Cham

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2018-05-08

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 0735211523

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Prepare to learn everything we still don’t know about our strange and mysterious universe Humanity's understanding of the physical world is full of gaps. Not tiny little gaps you can safely ignore —there are huge yawning voids in our basic notions of how the world works. PHD Comics creator Jorge Cham and particle physicist Daniel Whiteson have teamed up to explore everything we don't know about the universe: the enormous holes in our knowledge of the cosmos. Armed with their popular infographics, cartoons, and unusually entertaining and lucid explanations of science, they give us the best answers currently available for a lot of questions that are still perplexing scientists, including: * Why does the universe have a speed limit? * Why aren't we all made of antimatter? * What (or who) is attacking Earth with tiny, superfast particles? * What is dark matter, and why does it keep ignoring us? It turns out the universe is full of weird things that don't make any sense. But Cham and Whiteson make a compelling case that the questions we can't answer are as interesting as the ones we can. This fully illustrated introduction to the biggest mysteries in physics also helpfully demystifies many complicated things we do know about, from quarks and neutrinos to gravitational waves and exploding black holes. With equal doses of humor and delight, Cham and Whiteson invite us to see the universe as a possibly boundless expanse of uncharted territory that's still ours to explore.


Book Synopsis We Have No Idea by : Jorge Cham

Download or read book We Have No Idea written by Jorge Cham and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2018-05-08 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prepare to learn everything we still don’t know about our strange and mysterious universe Humanity's understanding of the physical world is full of gaps. Not tiny little gaps you can safely ignore —there are huge yawning voids in our basic notions of how the world works. PHD Comics creator Jorge Cham and particle physicist Daniel Whiteson have teamed up to explore everything we don't know about the universe: the enormous holes in our knowledge of the cosmos. Armed with their popular infographics, cartoons, and unusually entertaining and lucid explanations of science, they give us the best answers currently available for a lot of questions that are still perplexing scientists, including: * Why does the universe have a speed limit? * Why aren't we all made of antimatter? * What (or who) is attacking Earth with tiny, superfast particles? * What is dark matter, and why does it keep ignoring us? It turns out the universe is full of weird things that don't make any sense. But Cham and Whiteson make a compelling case that the questions we can't answer are as interesting as the ones we can. This fully illustrated introduction to the biggest mysteries in physics also helpfully demystifies many complicated things we do know about, from quarks and neutrinos to gravitational waves and exploding black holes. With equal doses of humor and delight, Cham and Whiteson invite us to see the universe as a possibly boundless expanse of uncharted territory that's still ours to explore.

The Unknown Universe

The Unknown Universe

Author: Stuart Clark

Publisher:

Published: 2017-07-11

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781681774466

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On March 21, 2013, the European Space Agency released a map of the afterglow of the Big Bang. Taking in 440 sextillion kilometres of space and 13.8 billion years of time, it is physically impossible to make a better map: we will never see the early universe in more detail. On the one hand, such a view is the apotheosis of modern cosmology, on the other, it threatens to undermine almost everything we hold cosmologically sacrosanct. The map contains anomalies that challenge our understanding of the universe. It will force us to revisit what is known and what is unknown, to construct a new model of our universe. This is the first book to address what will be an epoch-defining scientific paradigm shift. Stuart Clark will ask if Newton's famous laws of gravity need to be rewritten; if dark matter and dark energy are just celestial phantoms? Can we ever know what happened before the Big Bang? What's at the bottom of a black hole? Are there universes beyond our own? Does time exist? Are the once immutable laws of physics changing?


Book Synopsis The Unknown Universe by : Stuart Clark

Download or read book The Unknown Universe written by Stuart Clark and published by . This book was released on 2017-07-11 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On March 21, 2013, the European Space Agency released a map of the afterglow of the Big Bang. Taking in 440 sextillion kilometres of space and 13.8 billion years of time, it is physically impossible to make a better map: we will never see the early universe in more detail. On the one hand, such a view is the apotheosis of modern cosmology, on the other, it threatens to undermine almost everything we hold cosmologically sacrosanct. The map contains anomalies that challenge our understanding of the universe. It will force us to revisit what is known and what is unknown, to construct a new model of our universe. This is the first book to address what will be an epoch-defining scientific paradigm shift. Stuart Clark will ask if Newton's famous laws of gravity need to be rewritten; if dark matter and dark energy are just celestial phantoms? Can we ever know what happened before the Big Bang? What's at the bottom of a black hole? Are there universes beyond our own? Does time exist? Are the once immutable laws of physics changing?

A Journey Through The Universe:

A Journey Through The Universe:

Author: New Scientist

Publisher: Nicholas Brealey

Published: 2018-08-07

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1473670454

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There's a whole universe out there... Imagine you had a spacecraft capable of travelling through interstellar space. You climb in, blast into orbit, fly out of the solar system and keep going. Where do you end up, and what do you see along the way? The answer is: mostly nothing. Space is astonishingly, mind-blowingly empty. As you travel through the void between galaxies your spaceship encounters nothing more exciting than the odd hydrogen molecule. But when it does come across something more exotic: wow! First and most obviously, stars and planets. Some are familiar from our own backyard: yellow suns, rocky planets like Mars, gas and ice giants like Jupiter and Neptune. But there are many more: giant stars, red and white dwarfs, super-earths and hot Jupiters. Elsewhere are swirling clouds of dust giving birth to stars, and infinitely dense regions of space-time called black holes. These clump together in the star clusters we call galaxies, and the clusters of galaxies we call... galaxy clusters. And that is just the start. As we travel further we encounter ever more weird, wonderful and dangerous entities: supernovas, supermassive black holes, quasars, pulsars, neutron stars, black dwarfs, quark stars, gamma ray bursts and cosmic strings. A Journey Through The Universe is a grand tour of the most amazing celestial objects and how they fit together to build the cosmos. As for the end of the journey - nobody knows. But getting there will be fun.


Book Synopsis A Journey Through The Universe: by : New Scientist

Download or read book A Journey Through The Universe: written by New Scientist and published by Nicholas Brealey. This book was released on 2018-08-07 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There's a whole universe out there... Imagine you had a spacecraft capable of travelling through interstellar space. You climb in, blast into orbit, fly out of the solar system and keep going. Where do you end up, and what do you see along the way? The answer is: mostly nothing. Space is astonishingly, mind-blowingly empty. As you travel through the void between galaxies your spaceship encounters nothing more exciting than the odd hydrogen molecule. But when it does come across something more exotic: wow! First and most obviously, stars and planets. Some are familiar from our own backyard: yellow suns, rocky planets like Mars, gas and ice giants like Jupiter and Neptune. But there are many more: giant stars, red and white dwarfs, super-earths and hot Jupiters. Elsewhere are swirling clouds of dust giving birth to stars, and infinitely dense regions of space-time called black holes. These clump together in the star clusters we call galaxies, and the clusters of galaxies we call... galaxy clusters. And that is just the start. As we travel further we encounter ever more weird, wonderful and dangerous entities: supernovas, supermassive black holes, quasars, pulsars, neutron stars, black dwarfs, quark stars, gamma ray bursts and cosmic strings. A Journey Through The Universe is a grand tour of the most amazing celestial objects and how they fit together to build the cosmos. As for the end of the journey - nobody knows. But getting there will be fun.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe

Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe

Author: Jorge Cham

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2021-11-02

Total Pages: 337

ISBN-13: 0593189310

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"Delightful, funny, and yet rigorous and intelligent: only Jorge and Daniel can reach this exquisite balance." —Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and Helgoland You’ve got questions: about space, time, gravity, and the odds of meeting your older self inside a wormhole. All the answers you need are right here. As a species, we may not agree on much, but one thing brings us all together: a need to know. We all wonder, and deep down we all have the same big questions. Why can’t I travel back in time? Where did the universe come from? What’s inside a black hole? Can I rearrange the particles in my cat and turn it into a dog? Researcher-turned-cartoonist Jorge Cham and physics professor Daniel Whiteson are experts at explaining science in ways we can all understand, in their books and on their popular podcast, Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe. With their signature blend of humor and oh-now-I-get-it clarity, Jorge and Daniel offer short, accessible, and lighthearted answers to some of the most common, most outrageous, and most profound questions about the universe they’ve received. This witty, entertaining, and fully illustrated book is an essential troubleshooting guide for the perplexing aspects of reality, big and small, from the invisible particles that make up your body to the identical version of you currently reading this exact sentence in the corner of some other galaxy. If the universe came with an FAQ, this would be it.


Book Synopsis Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe by : Jorge Cham

Download or read book Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe written by Jorge Cham and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2021-11-02 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Delightful, funny, and yet rigorous and intelligent: only Jorge and Daniel can reach this exquisite balance." —Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and Helgoland You’ve got questions: about space, time, gravity, and the odds of meeting your older self inside a wormhole. All the answers you need are right here. As a species, we may not agree on much, but one thing brings us all together: a need to know. We all wonder, and deep down we all have the same big questions. Why can’t I travel back in time? Where did the universe come from? What’s inside a black hole? Can I rearrange the particles in my cat and turn it into a dog? Researcher-turned-cartoonist Jorge Cham and physics professor Daniel Whiteson are experts at explaining science in ways we can all understand, in their books and on their popular podcast, Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe. With their signature blend of humor and oh-now-I-get-it clarity, Jorge and Daniel offer short, accessible, and lighthearted answers to some of the most common, most outrageous, and most profound questions about the universe they’ve received. This witty, entertaining, and fully illustrated book is an essential troubleshooting guide for the perplexing aspects of reality, big and small, from the invisible particles that make up your body to the identical version of you currently reading this exact sentence in the corner of some other galaxy. If the universe came with an FAQ, this would be it.

Knowing the Unknown - II: Mysteries of the Universe Past, Present, and Future

Knowing the Unknown - II: Mysteries of the Universe Past, Present, and Future

Author: Manohar Lal Ph. D.

Publisher:

Published: 2011-03

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9780982680919

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KNOWING THE UNKNOWN - II Mysteries of the Universe Past, Present, and Future In this second book in the series on Knowing the Unknown: Mysteries of the Universe - Past, Present, and Future, we address the question, 'Where am I?' Dr. Lal takes the readers on an exciting journey that unfolds a panoramic view of science and the Universe. An interesting feature of this book is that it explains most of the ideas in simple terms, as we search for the ultimate truth about: * Science and the Unanswered Questions * Space, Time, Matter, and Energy * Origin and Evolution of Universe * Frontiers and Future of Science * Top Ten Mysteries of Science The book provides a unique perspective on the origin, evolution, current frontiers, and future of science. Our journey starts when man first appears on this planet. We see how science and religion originate. As the journey continues, we cross various milestones in science. Newton explains motion and gravity; Maxwell explains electromagnetism and light waves; Einstein gives the world his theories of relativity, changing the notions of time, space, and gravity. Planck defines the quanta of energy, and Schrodinger introduces quantum mechanics. Then, we visit the entire Universe - its origin, evolution, stars, galaxies, and black holes. During the journey, we come across the unsolved mysteries of science. We discover several questions that remain unanswered. We discuss them, and prepare a list of the top ten mysteries of science. Towards the end of our journey, we summarize the essence of science, and visit its frontiers. We also make predictions, and get a glimpse of the future of science and of the exciting discoveries that lie ahead. As we complete the journey, we search for the ultimate answer. While searching for the ultimate truth, we highlight and inject some fresh ideas concerning the top ten mysteries of science. This book is meant for readers with some interest in science. The book inspires readers and heighten their scientific interest in science. It should motivate and encourage young scientists to unfold the remaining mysteries of science. After reading the book, the readers would come to appreciate the beauty and elegance of science.The book can also serve as a textbook on the history of science.


Book Synopsis Knowing the Unknown - II: Mysteries of the Universe Past, Present, and Future by : Manohar Lal Ph. D.

Download or read book Knowing the Unknown - II: Mysteries of the Universe Past, Present, and Future written by Manohar Lal Ph. D. and published by . This book was released on 2011-03 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: KNOWING THE UNKNOWN - II Mysteries of the Universe Past, Present, and Future In this second book in the series on Knowing the Unknown: Mysteries of the Universe - Past, Present, and Future, we address the question, 'Where am I?' Dr. Lal takes the readers on an exciting journey that unfolds a panoramic view of science and the Universe. An interesting feature of this book is that it explains most of the ideas in simple terms, as we search for the ultimate truth about: * Science and the Unanswered Questions * Space, Time, Matter, and Energy * Origin and Evolution of Universe * Frontiers and Future of Science * Top Ten Mysteries of Science The book provides a unique perspective on the origin, evolution, current frontiers, and future of science. Our journey starts when man first appears on this planet. We see how science and religion originate. As the journey continues, we cross various milestones in science. Newton explains motion and gravity; Maxwell explains electromagnetism and light waves; Einstein gives the world his theories of relativity, changing the notions of time, space, and gravity. Planck defines the quanta of energy, and Schrodinger introduces quantum mechanics. Then, we visit the entire Universe - its origin, evolution, stars, galaxies, and black holes. During the journey, we come across the unsolved mysteries of science. We discover several questions that remain unanswered. We discuss them, and prepare a list of the top ten mysteries of science. Towards the end of our journey, we summarize the essence of science, and visit its frontiers. We also make predictions, and get a glimpse of the future of science and of the exciting discoveries that lie ahead. As we complete the journey, we search for the ultimate answer. While searching for the ultimate truth, we highlight and inject some fresh ideas concerning the top ten mysteries of science. This book is meant for readers with some interest in science. The book inspires readers and heighten their scientific interest in science. It should motivate and encourage young scientists to unfold the remaining mysteries of science. After reading the book, the readers would come to appreciate the beauty and elegance of science.The book can also serve as a textbook on the history of science.

Edge of the Universe

Edge of the Universe

Author: Paul Halpern

Publisher: Turner Publishing Company

Published: 2012-08-10

Total Pages: 228

ISBN-13: 111823460X

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An accessible look at the mysteries that lurk at the edge of the known universe and beyond The observable universe, the part we can see with telescopes, is incredibly vast. Yet recent theories suggest that there is far more to the universe than what our instruments record—in fact, it could be infinite. Colossal flows of galaxies, large empty regions called voids, and other unexplained phenomena offer clues that our own "bubble universe" could be part of a greater realm called the multiverse. How big is the observable universe? What it is made of? What lies beyond it? Was there a time before the Big Bang? Could space have unseen dimensions? In this book, physicist and science writer Paul Halpern explains what we know?and what we hope to soon find out?about our extraordinary cosmos. Explains what we know about the Big Bang, the accelerating universe, dark energy, dark flow, and dark matter to examine some of the theories about the content of the universe and why its edge is getting farther away from us faster Explores the idea that the observable universe could be a hologram and that everything that happens within it might be written on its edge Written by physicist and popular science writer Paul Halpern, whose other books include Collider: The Search for the World's Smallest Particles, and What's Science Ever Done For Us: What the Simpsons Can Teach Us About Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe


Book Synopsis Edge of the Universe by : Paul Halpern

Download or read book Edge of the Universe written by Paul Halpern and published by Turner Publishing Company. This book was released on 2012-08-10 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An accessible look at the mysteries that lurk at the edge of the known universe and beyond The observable universe, the part we can see with telescopes, is incredibly vast. Yet recent theories suggest that there is far more to the universe than what our instruments record—in fact, it could be infinite. Colossal flows of galaxies, large empty regions called voids, and other unexplained phenomena offer clues that our own "bubble universe" could be part of a greater realm called the multiverse. How big is the observable universe? What it is made of? What lies beyond it? Was there a time before the Big Bang? Could space have unseen dimensions? In this book, physicist and science writer Paul Halpern explains what we know?and what we hope to soon find out?about our extraordinary cosmos. Explains what we know about the Big Bang, the accelerating universe, dark energy, dark flow, and dark matter to examine some of the theories about the content of the universe and why its edge is getting farther away from us faster Explores the idea that the observable universe could be a hologram and that everything that happens within it might be written on its edge Written by physicist and popular science writer Paul Halpern, whose other books include Collider: The Search for the World's Smallest Particles, and What's Science Ever Done For Us: What the Simpsons Can Teach Us About Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe

The Creation of the Universe

The Creation of the Universe

Author: George Gamow

Publisher: Courier Corporation

Published: 2012-08-02

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13: 0486165485

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Lively and authoritative, this survey by a renowned physicist explains the formation of the galaxies and defines the concept of an ever-expanding universe in simple terms. 1961 edition. 40 figures.


Book Synopsis The Creation of the Universe by : George Gamow

Download or read book The Creation of the Universe written by George Gamow and published by Courier Corporation. This book was released on 2012-08-02 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lively and authoritative, this survey by a renowned physicist explains the formation of the galaxies and defines the concept of an ever-expanding universe in simple terms. 1961 edition. 40 figures.

Astronomy's Limitless Journey

Astronomy's Limitless Journey

Author: Günther Hasinger

Publisher: University of Hawaii Press

Published: 2015-10-31

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 0824853628

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When observing the sky on a very clear, dark night, the soft glow of the Milky Way with its thousands of stars can be seen with the naked eye. Over the centuries since Galileo Galilei first pointed a telescope at the galaxy in 1609, this awe-inspiring yet easily visible panorama was our cosmos, our celestial world. With each new scientific discovery, however, this cosmos has grown dramatically, increasing rapidly over the last several decades. As we look deeper into space, the earlier phases of the cosmos are unveiled to us, but we know that even with the largest telescopes, we will see only a tiny fraction of the vast expanse of the universe. In Astronomy’s Limitless Journey, astrophysicist Günther Hasinger takes the reader on a journey to the far reaches of the universe—an exciting time travel that begins with the incredibly hot fireball of the Big Bang roughly 13.8 billion years ago and ends in distant eons with its cold, dark demise. In between lie the times in which extensive structures, galaxies, stars, and planets form. As the field of astrophysics and cosmology experiences a “golden age” due to larger telescopes, faster computers, and more sophisticated algorithms, fundamental changes are taking place in our understanding of space and time and of the origin and future of our universe. Hasinger thoroughly explains these fascinating revelations and describes the methods utilized in modern astrophysics. He cautions, however, that the boundaries between knowledge and ignorance shift constantly; where our knowledge is so incomplete such that we can only speculate, the journey becomes shaky. Indeed, every new discovery opens a further door to the unknown and with every answered question, we discover more locked doors still to be opened.


Book Synopsis Astronomy's Limitless Journey by : Günther Hasinger

Download or read book Astronomy's Limitless Journey written by Günther Hasinger and published by University of Hawaii Press. This book was released on 2015-10-31 with total page 249 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When observing the sky on a very clear, dark night, the soft glow of the Milky Way with its thousands of stars can be seen with the naked eye. Over the centuries since Galileo Galilei first pointed a telescope at the galaxy in 1609, this awe-inspiring yet easily visible panorama was our cosmos, our celestial world. With each new scientific discovery, however, this cosmos has grown dramatically, increasing rapidly over the last several decades. As we look deeper into space, the earlier phases of the cosmos are unveiled to us, but we know that even with the largest telescopes, we will see only a tiny fraction of the vast expanse of the universe. In Astronomy’s Limitless Journey, astrophysicist Günther Hasinger takes the reader on a journey to the far reaches of the universe—an exciting time travel that begins with the incredibly hot fireball of the Big Bang roughly 13.8 billion years ago and ends in distant eons with its cold, dark demise. In between lie the times in which extensive structures, galaxies, stars, and planets form. As the field of astrophysics and cosmology experiences a “golden age” due to larger telescopes, faster computers, and more sophisticated algorithms, fundamental changes are taking place in our understanding of space and time and of the origin and future of our universe. Hasinger thoroughly explains these fascinating revelations and describes the methods utilized in modern astrophysics. He cautions, however, that the boundaries between knowledge and ignorance shift constantly; where our knowledge is so incomplete such that we can only speculate, the journey becomes shaky. Indeed, every new discovery opens a further door to the unknown and with every answered question, we discover more locked doors still to be opened.

The Universe Untangled

The Universe Untangled

Author: Abigail Pillitteri

Publisher: Morgan & Claypool Publishers

Published: 2017-05-01

Total Pages: 78

ISBN-13: 1681745143

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Space curves around you, time slows down, particles are waves, a cat is both alive and dead. What's going on? It all starts to make sense when we untangle the universe with this clear and enlightening book. Day-dreamers and deep-thinkers, these are the concepts that will send your mind wandering to new places with a deeper understanding of the natural world. Physics has always been a tricky subject for the general public. Millions are fascinated by the laws of the physical world, but there has been a lack of books written specifically for general readers. The Universe Untangled is for those who are curious; yet do not have an extensive mathematical background. It uses images, analogies and comprehensible language to cover popular topics of interest including the evolution of the universe, fundamental forces and particle interactions, the nature of space and time according to Special and General Relativity, the ideas of Quantum Mechanics and the quest for knowing the unknown. The Universe Untangled is a unique book because it is written by an author whose career has been built on making science accessible to all. She has contributed to the design and content production of educational games, professional development courses, and science workbooks. In essence, this is not a book written by a physicist for other physicists. It is written by an educator who cares only about sharing her passion for science with others.


Book Synopsis The Universe Untangled by : Abigail Pillitteri

Download or read book The Universe Untangled written by Abigail Pillitteri and published by Morgan & Claypool Publishers. This book was released on 2017-05-01 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Space curves around you, time slows down, particles are waves, a cat is both alive and dead. What's going on? It all starts to make sense when we untangle the universe with this clear and enlightening book. Day-dreamers and deep-thinkers, these are the concepts that will send your mind wandering to new places with a deeper understanding of the natural world. Physics has always been a tricky subject for the general public. Millions are fascinated by the laws of the physical world, but there has been a lack of books written specifically for general readers. The Universe Untangled is for those who are curious; yet do not have an extensive mathematical background. It uses images, analogies and comprehensible language to cover popular topics of interest including the evolution of the universe, fundamental forces and particle interactions, the nature of space and time according to Special and General Relativity, the ideas of Quantum Mechanics and the quest for knowing the unknown. The Universe Untangled is a unique book because it is written by an author whose career has been built on making science accessible to all. She has contributed to the design and content production of educational games, professional development courses, and science workbooks. In essence, this is not a book written by a physicist for other physicists. It is written by an educator who cares only about sharing her passion for science with others.

Fear of a Black Universe

Fear of a Black Universe

Author: Stephon Alexander

Publisher:

Published: 2023-09-05

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781541604223

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In this "captivating" (Sky + Telescope) book, a top cosmologist argues that physics must embrace the excluded and listen to the unheard When asked by legendary theoretical physicist Christopher Isham why he had attended graduate school, cosmologist Stephon Alexander answered: "To become a better physicist." As a young student, he could hardly have anticipated Isham's response: "Then stop reading those physics books." Instead, Isham said, Alexander should start listening to his dreams. This is only the first of the many lessons in Fear of a Black Universe. As Alexander explains, greatness in physics requires transgression, a willingness to reject conventional expectations. He shows why progress happens when some physicists come to think outside the mainstream, and why, as in great jazz, great physics requires a willingness to make things up as one goes along. Compelling and necessary, Fear of a Black Universe offers us remarkable insight into the art of physics and empowers us all to think big.


Book Synopsis Fear of a Black Universe by : Stephon Alexander

Download or read book Fear of a Black Universe written by Stephon Alexander and published by . This book was released on 2023-09-05 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this "captivating" (Sky + Telescope) book, a top cosmologist argues that physics must embrace the excluded and listen to the unheard When asked by legendary theoretical physicist Christopher Isham why he had attended graduate school, cosmologist Stephon Alexander answered: "To become a better physicist." As a young student, he could hardly have anticipated Isham's response: "Then stop reading those physics books." Instead, Isham said, Alexander should start listening to his dreams. This is only the first of the many lessons in Fear of a Black Universe. As Alexander explains, greatness in physics requires transgression, a willingness to reject conventional expectations. He shows why progress happens when some physicists come to think outside the mainstream, and why, as in great jazz, great physics requires a willingness to make things up as one goes along. Compelling and necessary, Fear of a Black Universe offers us remarkable insight into the art of physics and empowers us all to think big.