What's Eating the Universe?
And Other Cosmic Questions
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4.3 • 6 Ratings
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- $15.99
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
Combining the latest scientific advances with storytelling skills unmatched in the cosmos, an award-winning astrophysicist and popular writer leads us on a tour of some of the greatest mysteries of our universe.
In the constellation of Eridanus, there lurks a cosmic mystery: It’s as if something has taken a huge bite out of the universe. But what is the culprit? The hole in the universe is just one of many puzzles keeping cosmologists busy. Supermassive black holes, bubbles of nothingness gobbling up space, monster universes swallowing others—these and many other bizarre ideas are being pursued by scientists. Due to breathtaking progress in astronomy, the history of our universe is now better understood than the history of our own planet. But these advances have uncovered some startling riddles. In this electrifying new book, renowned cosmologist and author Paul Davies lucidly explains what we know about the cosmos and its enigmas, exploring the tantalizing—and sometimes terrifying—possibilities that lie before us.
As Davies guides us through the audacious research offering mind-bending solutions to these and other mysteries, he leads us up to the greatest outstanding conundrum of all: Why does the universe even exist in the first place? And how did a system of mindless, purposeless particles manage to bring forth conscious, thinking beings? Filled with wit and wonder, What’s Eating the Universe? is a dazzling tour of cosmic questions, sure to entertain, enchant, and inspire us all.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lessons in cosmology and astrophysics abound in this enthusiastic primer from physicist Davies (The Demon in the Machine). In answering 30 questions, Davies aims to show how "beautiful and awe-inspiring" the world is. Some of his topics are familiar: "Why Is It Dark at Night?" covers the brightness of stars, "Is Time Travel Possible?" explains relativity (and offers "maybe" as an answer), and "Is ET in Our Backyard?" suggests humans are more likely to discover "robotic surrogates than biological organisms" as forms of extraterrestrial intelligence. About half of the questions are related to the Big Bang, and Davies describes antimatter, warped time, and black holes in a conversational tone. Other questions concern the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, and the possible "fate of our universe": "Although the idea is currently out of fashion, it remains possible that the universe will eventually collapse to a big crunch." With each chapter running a few pages long, readers can dip in and out for a quick moment of enlightenment. Accessible writing and a breezy appreciation for discovery make this a great introduction for readers new to physics.
