Portland Public Library

Einstein's monsters, the life and times of black holes, Chris Impey

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 245-282) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Einstein's monsters

bibliography

1035798779

Chris Impey

the life and times of black holes

"The astonishing science of black holes and their role in understanding the history and future of our universe. Black holes are the most extreme objects in the universe, and yet they are ubiquitous. Every massive star leaves behind a black hole when it dies, and every galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole at its center. Frighteningly enigmatic, these dark giants continue to astound even the scientists who spend their careers studying them. Which came first, the galaxy or its central black hole? What happens if you travel into one--instant death or something weirder? And, perhaps most important, how can we ever know anything for sure about black holes when they destroy information by their very nature? In [this book], distinguished astronomer Chris Impey takes readers on an exploration of these and other questions at the cutting edge of astrophysics, as well as the history of black holes' role in theoretical physics--from confirming Einstein's equations for general relativity to testing string theory. He blends this history with a poignant account of the phenomena scientists have witnessed while observing black holes: stars swarming like bees around the center of our galaxy; black holes performing gravitational waltzes with visible stars; the cymbal clash of two black holes colliding, releasing ripples in space-time. Clear, compelling, and profound, Einstein's Monsters reveals how our comprehension of black holes is intrinsically linked to how we make sense of the universe and our place within it. From the small questions to the big ones--from the tiniest particles to the nature of space-time itself--black holes might be the key to a deeper understanding of the cosmos."--JacketEvery massive star leaves behind a black hole when it dies, and every galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole at its center. Frighteningly enigmatic, these dark giants continue to astound even the scientists who spend their careers studying them. Impey takes readers on an exploration of the cutting edge of astrophysics, as well as the history of black holes' role in theoretical physics. From confirming Einstein's equations for general relativity to testing string theory, he reveals how our comprehension of black holes is intrinsically linked to how we make sense of the universe and our place within it.-- adapted from jacket

Foreword -- Part A. Evidence for black holes, large and small. The heart of darkness -- Black holes from star death -- Supermassive black holes -- Gravitational engines -- Part B. Black holes, past, present, and future. The lives of black holes -- Black holes as tests of gravity -- Seeing with gravity eyes -- The fate of black holes

Life and times of black holes