The Cosmic Mind-boggling Book


Book Description

More than seven hundred entries describe and explain the significant phenomena of the universe and salient facts concerning the planets, stars, meteors, asteroids, comets, galaxies, black holes, and time.




Our Cosmic Habitat


Book Description

Our universe seems strangely ''biophilic,'' or hospitable to life. Is this happenstance, providence, or coincidence? According to cosmologist Martin Rees, the answer depends on the answer to another question, the one posed by Einstein's famous remark: ''What interests me most is whether God could have made the world differently.'' This highly engaging book explores the fascinating consequences of the answer being ''yes.'' Rees explores the notion that our universe is just a part of a vast ''multiverse,'' or ensemble of universes, in which most of the other universes are lifeless. What we call the laws of nature would then be no more than local bylaws, imposed in the aftermath of our own Big Bang. In this scenario, our cosmic habitat would be a special, possibly unique universe where the prevailing laws of physics allowed life to emerge. Rees begins by exploring the nature of our solar system and examining a range of related issues such as whether our universe is or isn't infinite. He asks, for example: How likely is life? How credible is the Big Bang theory? Rees then peers into the long-range cosmic future before tracing the causal chain backward to the beginning. He concludes by trying to untangle the paradoxical notion that our entire universe, stretching 10 billion light-years in all directions, emerged from an infinitesimal speck. As Rees argues, we may already have intimations of other universes. But the fate of the multiverse concept depends on the still-unknown bedrock nature of space and time on scales a trillion trillion times smaller than atoms, in the realm governed by the quantum physics of gravity. Expanding our comprehension of the cosmos, Our Cosmic Habitat will be read and enjoyed by all those--scientists and nonscientists alike--who are as fascinated by the universe we inhabit as is the author himself.




The Cosmic Serpent


Book Description

"A Copernican revolution for the life sciences."—Medical Tribune Unlock the mysteries of biology, anthropology, and ancient civilizations in this thought-provoking read where science and spirituality intersect. Through Jeremy Narby′s travels and research in the Amazon, he discovered that shamans were able to use hallucinogens to tap into knowledge and insights that rival our discoveries using modern scientific methods, particularly with regards to DNA and molecular biology. Drawing on visionary experiences, indigenous knowledge, and pharmacology, Narby challenges conventional understanding, unraveling the connections between consciousness, serpent symbolism, and the origins of life itself. This enlightening book blends science, anthropology, and mysticism into a captivating narrative that will expand your mind.




The Beginning and the End of Everything


Book Description

The Beginning and the End of Everything is the whole story as we currently understand it - from nothing, to the birth of our universe, to its ultimate fate. Authoritative and engaging, Paul Parsons takes us on a rollercoaster ride through billions of light years to tell the story of the Big Bang, from birth to death.




Stargazing with Jack Horkheimer


Book Description

Explores the lore and science of the moon, the sun, the planets and constellations, and other objects visible in the night sky, while also introducing the basic concepts of stargazing.




One Universe:


Book Description

A new window opens onto the cosmos... Almost every day we are challenged by new information from the outermost reaches of space. Using straightforward language, One Universe explores the physical principles that govern the workings of our own world so that we can appreciate how they operate in the cosmos around us. Bands of color in a sunlit crystal and the spectrum of starlight in giant telescopes, the arc of a hard-hit baseball and the orbit of the moon, traffic patterns on a freeway and the spiral arms in a galaxy full of stars--they're all tied together in grand and simple ways. We can understand the vast cosmos in which we live by exploring three basic concepts: motion, matter, and energy. With these as a starting point, One Universe shows how the physical principles that operate in our kitchens and backyards are actually down-to-Earth versions of cosmic processes. The book then takes us to the limits of our knowledge, asking the ultimate questions about the origins and existence of life as we know it and where the universe came from--and where it is going. Glorious photographs--many seen for the first time in these pages--and original illustrations expand and enrich our understanding. Evocative and clearly written, One Universe explains complex ideas in ways that every reader can grasp and enjoy. This book captures the grandeur of the heavens while making us feel at home in the cosmos. Above all, it helps us realize that galaxies, stars, planets, and we ourselves all belong to One Universe.




The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality


Book Description

The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality offers an insightful journey into the depths of cosmology, providing an in-depth exploration of the fundamental concepts and theories that shape our understanding of the universe. This captivating book takes readers on a captivating odyssey, unraveling the mysteries of space, time, and the intricate texture of reality. From the very beginning, the book sets the stage with an Introduction to Cosmology, presenting an overview of the Big Bang Theory and the theoretical frameworks that underpin cosmological studies. Understanding the origins of the universe becomes a fascinating endeavor as the book delves into the early universe, discussing concepts such as inflation theory and the formation of cosmic structures. Observational methods in cosmology take center stage in Chapter 2, where readers are introduced to telescopes and observatories, along with the significance of cosmic microwave background radiation. As the exploration continues, the book covers topics such as redshift and Hubble's Law, as well as the intriguing measurements and implications of dark matter and dark energy. The Cosmic Microwave Background is thoroughly examined in Chapter 4, highlighting its discovery and importance. Exploring cosmic microwave background anisotropy and the cosmological implications of polarization brings readers closer to comprehending the intricate fabric of the universe. Another captivating topic covered in the book is the formation of structures in the universe. Chapter 5 unveils the large-scale structure of the universe, shedding light on galaxy clusters, superclusters, and the fascinating birth of galaxies. Expanding the scope of inquiry, Chapter 6 delves into the evolution of stars and galaxies, offering an enthralling examination of stellar evolution, galactic morphology and evolution, as well as the captivating world of active galactic nuclei. Dark matter and dark energy, the enigmatic components that shape our universe, take the spotlight in Chapter 7. Readers are immersed in a comprehensive exploration of the nature, properties, and implications of dark matter and dark energy, unraveling their roles in the expansion of the universe and the development of cosmological models. The book takes a mind-bending turn in Chapter 8, where the concept of parallel universes and multiple dimensions is explored. Through the lens of multiverse theories, readers are invited to contemplate the mind-boggling possibilities presented by string theory, the Many Worlds Interpretation, and the Anthropic Principle. Chapter 9 delves into cosmological models and theories, presenting the standard cosmological model (ΛCDM), alternative models, and modifications, as well as the intriguing realm of quantum cosmology. Finally, the book concludes with Chapter 10, providing thought-provoking insights into the fate of the universe. Will it experience a Big Freeze, a Big Crunch, or a Big Rip? Multiverse scenarios and the ultimate destiny of the universe offer captivating perspectives that will leave readers pondering the awe-inspiring nature of existence. The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality is a must-read for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the cosmos. With its engaging narrative and in-depth exploration of cosmological concepts, this book is an invaluable resource for both novice and seasoned enthusiasts. Embark on an enlightening journey through the depths of the cosmos, and unlock the secrets of the universe's fabric.




The Future of the Mind


Book Description

Michio Kaku, the New York Times bestselling author of Physics of the Impossible and Physics of the Future tackles the most fascinating and complex object in the known universe: the human brain. The Future of the Mind brings a topic that once belonged solely to the province of science fiction into a startling new reality. This scientific tour de force unveils the astonishing research being done in top laboratories around the world—all based on the latest advancements in neuroscience and physics—including recent experiments in telepathy, mind control, avatars, telekinesis, and recording memories and dreams. The Future of the Mind is an extraordinary, mind-boggling exploration of the frontiers of neuroscience. Dr. Kaku looks toward the day when we may achieve the ability to upload the human brain to a computer, neuron for neuron; project thoughts and emotions around the world on a brain-net; take a “smart pill” to enhance cognition; send our consciousness across the universe; and push the very limits of immortality.




The DC Book


Book Description

Travel the myriad worlds of the DC Multiverse. If you want to truly understand DC Comics, The DC Book is your one-stop guide to the DC Multiverse. It is a unique and insightful examination of this mind-boggling comics universe that takes readers on a compelling journey from the dawn of Super Heroes to the formation of the Dark Multiverse... and beyond. Meticulously researched and expertly written, The DC Book is packed with stunning, painstakingly selected artwork, illuminating infographics, and incisive, specially curated essays that shed new light on the ever-evolving DC Multiverse. From the world's finest Super Heroes such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, to iconic villains like the Joker, Lex Luthor, and Darkseid, to mythic realms like Apokolips and Themyscira, to cosmic energies like The Source and The Speed Force, The DC Book explores the key concepts, characters, and events that have defined and shaped DC Comics over the past 80 years. The book's content is divided into key subject areas--The Multiverse, Dark Multiverse, and Metaverse; Weird Science and Super Tech; Down to Earth; Mysteries from Space; Mystic Realms and Dream Worlds; and Time Warps and Other Earths--that form the foundations of DC Comics. The DC Book is an invaluable roadmap to DC Comics that no fan will want to miss!




A Big Bang in a Little Room


Book Description

An award-winning science writer takes us into the lab to answer some of life's biggest questions: How was the universe created? And could we create our own? What if you could become God, with the ability to build a whole new universe? As startling as it sounds, modern physics suggests that within the next two decades, scientists may be able to perform this seemingly divine feat-to concoct an entirely new baby universe, complete with its own physical laws, star systems, galaxies, and even intelligent life. A Big Bang in a Little Room takes the reader on a journey through the history of cosmology and unravels-particle by particle, theory by theory, and experiment by experiment-the ideas behind this provocative claim made by some of the most respected physicists alive today. Beyond simply explaining the science, A Big Bang in a Little Room also tells the story of the people who have been laboring for more than thirty years to make this seemingly impossible dream a reality. What has driven them to continue on what would seem, at first glance, to be a quixotic quest? This mind-boggling book reveals that we can nurse other worlds in the tiny confines of a lab, raising a daunting prospect: Was our universe, too, brought into existence by a daring creator?