Three Steps to the Universe : From the Sun to Black Holes to the Mystery of Dark Matter

If scientists canвЂTMt touch the Sun, how do they know what itвЂTMs made of? And if we canвЂTMt see black holes, how can we be confident they exist? Gravitational physicist David Garfinkle and his brother,В science fiction writer Richard Garfinkle, tackle these questions and more in Three Steps to the Universe, a tour through some of the most complex phenomena in the cosmos and an accessible exploration of how scientists acquire knowledge about the universe through observation, indirect detection, and theory. В The authors begin by inviting readers to step away from the Earth and reconsider our Sun. What we can directly observe of this star is limited to its surface, but with the advent of telescopes and spectroscopy, scientists know more than ever about its physical characteristics, origins, and projected lifetime. From the Sun, the authors journey further out into space to explore black holes. The Garfinkle brothers explain that our understanding of these astronomical oddities began in theory, and growing mathematical and physical evidence has unexpectedly supported it. From black holes, the authors lead us further into the unknown, to the dark matter and energy that pervade our universe, where science teeters on the edge of theory and discovery. Returning from the depths of space, the final section of the book brings the reader back down to Earth for a final look at the practice of science, ending with a practical guide to discerning real science from pseudoscience among the cacophony of print and online scientific sources.В Three Steps to the Universe will reward anyone interested in learning more about the universe around us and shows how scientists uncover its mysteries. В (20081124)

if Scientists Can’t Touch The Sun, How Do They Know What It’s Made Of? And If We Can’t See Black Holes, How Can We Be Confident They Exist? Gravitational Physicist David Garfinkle And His Brother, science Fiction Writer Richard Garfinkle, Tackle These Questions And More In three Steps To The Universe, a Tour Through Some Of The Most Complex Phenomena In The Cosmos And An Accessible Exploration Of How Scientists Acquire Knowledge About The Universe Through Observation, Indirect Detection, And Theory.

 
the Authors Begin By Inviting Readers To Step Away From The Earth And Reconsider Our Sun. What We Can Directly Observe Of This Star Is Limited To Its Surface, But With The Advent Of Telescopes And Spectroscopy, Scientists Know More Than Ever About Its Physical Characteristics, Origins, And Projected Lifetime. From The Sun, The Authors Journey Further Out Into Space To Explore Black Holes. The Garfinkle Brothers Explain That Our Understanding Of These Astronomical Oddities Began In Theory, And Growing Mathematical And Physical Evidence Has Unexpectedly Supported It. From Black Holes, The Authors Lead Us Further Into The Unknown, To The Dark Matter And Energy That Pervade Our Universe, Where Science Teeters On The Edge Of Theory And Discovery. Returning From The Depths Of Space, The Final Section Of The Book Brings The Reader Back Down To Earth For A Final Look At The Practice Of Science, Ending With A Practical Guide To Discerning Real Science From Pseudoscience Among The Cacophony Of Print And Online Scientific Sources. 

three Steps To The Universe Will Reward Anyone Interested In Learning More About The Universe Around Us Andshows How Scientists Uncover Its Mysteries.

 

publishers Weekly

meshing Their Complementary Skill Sets, Physicist David (of Oakland University) And His Brother, Science Fiction Writer Richard (celestial Matter, All Of An Instant), Explore Some Of The Knottiest Problems Facing Modern Cosmologists In This Tough But Informative Primer To Modern Cosmology. Aside From Revealing The Science Behind The Sun, Black Holes And Dark Matter, The Garfinkles' Demonstrate How Science Develops, Encouraging Readers Always To Ask, 'how Do They Know That?' As A Way Of Understanding Science. The Three Steps Of The Title Begin In The 19th Century, When Scientists Realized That The Earth Was, At Minimum, Millions Of Years Old; They Then Asked, How Old Is The Sun?-the First Sally In A Campaign That Would Unravel The Mystery Of Nuclear Energy, Reveal How A Star Becomes A White Dwarf, A Neutron Star, Or A Black Hole, And Spark A Fierce, Ongoing Decades-long Debate About The Possibility Of Black Hole Evaporation. Arguing That It Is Necessary To Jump The Barrier Of User-friendliness And Discover The Fascinating World Beyond That Layer Of Comfort, The Garfinkles Aren't Afraid To Get Technical, But This Smart, Rewarding Read Is Helped By A Welcome Voice, A Feel For Narrative And A Useful Glossary.
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"If scientists can't touch the Sun, how do they know what it's made of? And if we can't see black holes, how can we be confident they exist? Gravitational physicist David Garfinkle and his brother, science fiction writer Richard Garfinkle, tackle these questions and more in Three Steps to the Universe, a tour through some of the most complex phenomena in the cosmos and an accessible exploration of how scientists acquire knowledge about the universe through observation, indirect detection, and theory. The authors begin by inviting readers to step away from the Earth and reconsider our Sun. What we can directly observe of this star is limited to its surface, but with the advent of telescopes and spectroscopy, scientists know more than ever about its physical characteristics, origins, and projected lifetime. From the Sun, the authors journey further out into space to explore black holes. The Garfinkle brothers explain that our understanding of these astronomical oddities began in theory, and growing mathematical and physical evidence has unexpectedly supported it. From black holes, the authors lead us further into the unknown, to the dark matter and energy that pervade our universe, where science teeters on the edge of theory and discovery. Returning from the depths of space, the final section of the book brings the reader back down to Earth for a final look at the practice of science, ending with a practical guide to discerning real science from pseudoscience among the cacophony of print and online scientific sources. Three Steps to the Universe will reward anyone interested in learning more about the universe around us and shows how scientists uncover its mysteries."--Publisher's web site If scientists can’t touch the Sun, how do they know what it’s made of? And if we can’t see black holes, how can we be confident they exist? Gravitational physicist David Garfinkle and his brother, science fiction writer Richard Garfinkle, tackle these questions and more in __Three Steps to the Universe,__ a tour through some of the most complex phenomena in the cosmos and an accessible exploration of how scientists acquire knowledge about the universe through observation, indirect detection, and theory. The authors begin by inviting readers to step away from the Earth and reconsider our Sun. What we can directly observe of this star is limited to its surface, but with the advent of telescopes and spectroscopy, scientists know more than ever about its physical characteristics, origins, and projected lifetime. From the Sun, the authors journey further out into space to explore black holes. The Garfinkle brothers explain that our understanding of these astronomical oddities began in theory, and growing mathematical and physical evidence has unexpectedly supported it. From black holes, the authors lead us further into the unknown, to the dark matter and energy that pervade our universe, where science teeters on the edge of theory and discovery. Returning from the depths of space, the final section of the book brings the reader back down to Earth for a final look at the practice of science, ending with a practical guide to discerning real science from pseudoscience among the cacophony of print and online scientific sources. __Three Steps to the Universe__ will reward anyone interested in learning more about the universe around us and shows how scientists uncover its mysteries. CONTENTS......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 Step 1 THE SUN......Page 23 1 Look. Don’t Touch.......Page 26 2 What’s That Bright Thing Made Of?......Page 42 3 Fusion: Energy Hidden in Plain Sight......Page 54 Step 2 BLACK HOLES......Page 73 4 Old Gravity and New Gravity......Page 76 5 Black Holes in Relativity......Page 94 6 The Lives of Stars......Page 104 7 Black Hole Hunting......Page 132 8 Gravitational Waves......Page 156 Step 3 DARK MATTER—DARK ENERGY......Page 165 9 Galactic Scale......Page 168 10 What Is Dark Matter?......Page 176 11 All the Way Out......Page 204 12 Dark Energy, Antigravity, and Einstein’s Fudge......Page 214 A Step Back to Earth......Page 223 13 Road Maps......Page 226 14 Science as It Is Written......Page 254 Glossary......Page 270 Suggestions for Further Reading......Page 274 The Sun -- Look, Don't Touch -- What's That Big Bright Thing Made Of? -- Fusion -- We Really Know All This? -- Black Holes -- Old Gravity And New Gravity -- Black Holes In Relativity -- The Lives Of Stars -- Black Hole Hunting -- Gravitational Waves -- Dark Matter-dark Energy -- Galactic Scale -- What Is Dark Matter? -- All The Way Out -- Dark Energy, Antigravity, And Einstein's Fudge -- A Step Back To Earth -- Road Maps -- Science As It Is Written -- Glossary. David Garfinkle And Richard Garfinkle. Offers new theories and updated scientific information on black holes, dark matter, the sun, and the universe as a whole through new explorations, recent discoveries, and physical evidence, enhanced with illustrations and online scientific sources.