The Universe Next Door: The Making of Tomorrow's Science

+++++ 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

Wow, a fantastically fun book. I'm not sure that I agree with all of the theories it contains-I'm not sure the author even does-but they're certainly astounding and the thought processes that went into creating them is truly awe-inspiring. Some of them are not new to me. What is new, however, is the approachable style of the composition. Although formerly a radio astronomer at Cal Tech, at present Marcus Chown is primarily a professional science journalist. His approach to the topic of modern physics and its newer concepts is one of a writer and broadcaster. As he discusses each topic, he quotes the primary researchers in the field like a writer for Discover magazine would, asking pertinent questions and where necessary, explaining the answers. Through these dialogues with renowned scientists, he allows the reader to become more familiar with the personalities of the individuals at the leading edge of theoretical physics as well as with their ideas. He functions as a very knowledgeable and lucid interface between the professional scientist and the curious lay person. Each chapter is primarily dedicated to a specific concept having to do with "reality" and with the nature of the universe. Each chapter reads like a well written novel in that the last paragraph serves as a hook to draw the reader on to the next amazing concept in the succeeding chapter. I found that I couldn't just set aside the book. I read it cover to cover in one sitting and loved every minute of it. For those with an interest in but less of a background in physics, there is a fairly detailed glossary in the back of the book which should help with terms, although most are adequately explained in the body of the text. I think that most individuals can understand the concepts as they are explained. It might be a nice place for the junior high student with a strong interest in a science career to become familiar with physics and physicists.For those who find their appetites wetted for "more,"the bibliography at the back of the book is probably not a very helpful source. Most of the listings are either journal articles that might not be approachable for the average student of the topic or science fiction. Certainly the latter are very good, should one wish to take ones science in a more narrative form. This cast of writers is stellar-no pun intended-and includes Asimov, Clarke, Gunn, Heinlein, and Hoyle, among others. For those who prefer expository style, I'd suggest they check "Just Six Numbers" by Sir Martin Rees, Michio Kaku's "Hyperspace," "Matter Myth" by Gribbin and Davies, and "About Time" by P. C. W. Davies. Each of the latter texts deals more thoroughly with topics addressed in Chown's book by individual chapters.

It's hard to decide which idea is stranger--parts of the universe where time runs backward, several different varieties of multiple universes, wandering planets teeming with life, alien garbage piling up on earth . . .. Still, every one of the dozen mind-bending theories Chown describes has been proposed by serious scientists and has at least some scientific value. Chown has interviewed many cutting-edge (and perhaps some over-the-edge) scientists, and presents their findings clearly and entertainingly. Every chapter will make you stop, think and wonder.Chown is a superb science writer. He's a long-time contributor to the British science weekly, New Scientist, and author of several previous books. He reminds me of Steven Hawking. Both are terse, crystal clear, and are able to explain complex ideas lucidly. Chown is particularly good at coming up with elegant metaphors that cut through to the core of an idea.It's a quick, informative and exciting read. It deserves two thumbs up in many different universes.Robert AdlerScience writer, author of Science Firsts: From the Creation of Science to the Science of Creation (Wiley, 2002)

"Curiouser and curiouser!" cried Alice.--Lewis Carroll (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland). Any technology that is sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic.--Arthur C. Clarke.In The Universe Next Door, Marcus Chown, Cosmology Consultant for the weekly science magazine New Scientist and author of Afterglow of Creation: From the Fireball to the Discovery of Cosmic Ripples and The Magic Furnace: The Search for the Origin of Atoms, has published his third volume of popularized science. His latest work has three parts: "The Nature of Reality," "The Nature of the Universe," and "Life and the Universe." The author lives in the United Kingdom.In The Universe Next Door, Chown provides a lucid survey of dozens of bizarre theories propounded by scientists who have hyperactive imaginations. Cicero (107-43 B.C.) once remarked, "There is nothing so ridiculous but some philosopher has said it." Nowadays one could say, "There is nothing so ridiculous but some scientist has said it." For example, consider this overview of the book's 12 chapters:o "Unbreak My Heart." Contrary to all expectations, there may exist regions in our universe where time runs backward.o "I'm Gonna Live Forever." Evidence is growing that there are an infinite number of realities stacked together like the pages of a never-ending book.o "Dividing the Indivisible." A claim that the basic building blocks of matter can be split could have profound implications for the nature of ultimate reality.o "All the World's a Time Machine." The two great theories of twentieth-century physics might at last be united--if atoms contain time machines.o "Tales from the Fifth Dimension." Not only are extra dimensions a real possibility, they could reveal themselves in the next few years.o "The Holes in the Sky." Is most of the mass of the universe in the form of refrigerator-sized black holes?o "Looking-Glass Universe." Our universe could contain invisible galaxies, stars, and planets--even invisible ETs.o "The Universe Next Door." Brace yourself, the universe is about to get bigger than you ever imagined.o "Was the Universe Created by Angels?" The discovery that it might be possible to make a universe in the laboratory could have profound implications for the origin of our own universe.o "The Worlds between the Stars." Billions upon billions of habitable planets could be hiding in the cold, dark abyss of interstellar space."o "The Life Plague." Was life on Earth seeded from the depths of space?o "Alien Garbage." The aliens might not have got to Earth yet, but their garbage may have arrived ahead of them.If any or all this sounds wildly incredible, remember that today's heresy is tomorrow's orthodoxy, and yesterday's science fiction is today's applied science. As physicist Niels Bohr put it: "Your idea is crazy. The question is: is it crazy enough to be true?""If we have learned anything from science in the twentieth century, with its warped space-time and matter popping into existence out of empty

The magic and wonder of science is not in learning boring facts and figures, it is about becoming aware of the possibilities that exist in each and every one of us. I'm a great fan of Marcus' work. His writing can and does inspire the man in the street. I should know, I left school at 14, with no knowledge of science. His books have inspired me--and that takes some doing. Now I'm doing a university degree and my life has changed.