The Universe Next Door: The Making of Tomorrow's Science 1st Edition

Beautifully explains all kinds of crazy ideas that just mightbe the next major step forward. Tonic for the imagination,highly recommended!---Gregory Chaitin, IBM Research Division,author of Conversations with a Mathematician

I felt like I was reading a drawnout artical in a journal at first. Another problem I had with Mr.Chown's book was his repitious style. However, toward the end (around page 110 ) he starts to present us with some interesting theories and mindblowing ideas. Parallel universes,panspermia(seeded life from space),time-travel, and infinite dimensions make-up for the tedious start. There are no pictures or diagrams, but there is a glossary in back.

+++++This book, by former radio astronomer and cosmology consultant Marcus Chown, presents "twelve mind-blowing ideas from the cutting edge of science" (this book's former subtitle). Chown explains:"What follows are my dispatches from the frontier of the [scientific] imagination. At first sight, these ideas may seem crazy. But, then, once upon a time, the idea that time slows down for someone traveling fast or in the presence of gravity seemed crazy...Of course, the scientific imagination must work within the limits of known facts...I hope that in reading this book you will get some feeling of what a wonderful, weird, wacky Universe we find ourselves in -- a place far stranger than anything we could possibly have invented. And I hope it gets you thinking..."This book presents its ideas in three easy-to-read parts. The essence of each chapter will be highlighted in the form of a question:Part 1 (5 chapters):(1) Are there regions in the Universe where time runs backwards?(2) Are there an infinite number of realities where all possible alternative realities are played out?(3) Can the basic building blocks of nature (like electrons) be split?(4) Do atoms contain time machines?(5) Are extra space dimensions a possibility?Part 2 (4 chapters):(6) Is most of the mass of the Universe in the form of relatively small black holes?(7) Does the Universe contain invisible galaxies, stars, planets, and even invisible extraterrestrials?(8) Is our Universe one among an infinite number of separate and distinct universes?(9) Is it possible to make a universe in the laboratory?Part 3 (3 chapters):(10) Could there be billions and billions of habitable plants that are not orbiting a central star but that are traveling through interstellar space?(11) Was the life on Earth seeded from the depths of space?(12) Do extraterrestrial artifacts exist on Earth or throughout the solar system?Each chapter explains with no technicality each of its ideas and tells us of the extraordinary people (mainly scientists) who postulated these extraordinary ideas. The evidence for these ideas is also presented. As well, the problems with these ideas is also discussed.Readers of space and physical science should be acquainted with most of these ideas. But they will probably not be acquainted with the large detail that Chown presents that go along with these ideas.I was surprised to find a large, informative glossary. Concepts like "causality violation," "discoherence," and the "ultimate ensemble theory" are well defined.The bibliography or "further reading" section of this book is interesting. It presents for each chapter non-fiction as well as fiction books!Finally, this book has no illustrations. I felt simple diagrams would have reduced the book's wordiness. I also found some slang in this book. For example, the word "gonna" is not even a word.In conclusion, this book definitely sparks the reader's imagination. It reminds me of what Albert Einstein once said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge."(first published 2002; acknowledgements; forward; 12 chapters; main narrative of 155 pages; glossary; further reading, index)+++++

In this highly readable text, Marcus Chown, Cosmology Consultant for "New Scientist", illustrates sciences imaginative speculations on the possibilities of time travel, the existence of endless realities, multiuniverses, mirror worlds, a universe created by scientists in laboratories, and extra space dimensions, the fifth dimension, that could well be revealed to us in the not so distant future.What is so astonishing about these speculations is that they're grounded in scientific theory and known facts, making them highly credible and probable. Even more astounding, is the great scientific minds from around the world are putting these seemingly bizarre postulates to the test, and their findings are nothing less than amazing.One of the more interesting chapters "Was the Universe Created by Angels?" suggests an outlandish idea (outlandish from a secular scientific perspective): that our universe is the outcome of an experiment carried out by a superior intelligence in another universe. What makes this theory plausible is the fact that our universe is based on clear and simple principles that can be observed. Our observable cosmos is orchestrated on basic laws of physics in perfect balance, "a fined-tuned universe" enabling life to exist and reproduce. This is the anthropic principle:"There would appear to be only two possible explanations: One is that the universe was designed specifically by God. The other is that the Universe is the way it is because if it wasn't, we would not be here to remark on the fact. According to this topsy-turvy reasoning...it is hardly surprising that we find ourselves in a universe which is fine-tuned to allow the existence of galaxies, stars and life. We could hardly have evolved in a universe that was not!" (P.106) It is here that philosophy and science merge to attempt to explain the great mysteries of our existence.As a reader not too acquainted with quantum theory, astronomy and physics in general, this text is written simply and straightforward, explaining at times complex physics in easy to comprehend prose. Chown's obvious enthusiasm about his subject is also highly infectious, prompting this reader to investigate further.Entertaining and informative.