Einstein's Telescope
The Hunt for Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe
9 April 2010
Description
"In Einstein’s Telescope, Evalyn Gates, an expert on all that’s dark in the universe, brings dark matter, dark energy, and even black holes to light." —Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History, and New York Times best-selling author of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
In 1936, Albert Einstein predicted that gravitational distortions would allow space itself to act as a telescope far more powerful than humans could ever build. Now, cosmologists at the forefront of their field are using this radical technique ("Einstein’s Telescope") to detect the invisible. In fresh, engaging prose, astrophysicist Evalyn Gates explains how this tool is enabling scientists to uncover planets as big as the Earth, discover black holes as they whirl through space, and trace the evolution of cosmic architecture over billions of years. Powerful and accessible, Einstein’s Telescope takes us to the brink of a revolution in our understanding of the deepest mysteries of the Universe.
Reviews
"Gates offers clear, accessible explanations of how gravitational lensing can be used to solve the biggest mysteries of the universe—first by using luminous matter to ferret out the dark matter, then by using the cosmic web of dark matter itself as a lens to probe dark energy and the very structure of time and space." — New Scientist
"What stands out in Evalyn Gates’ cogent review of this intriguing topic is the sheer cleverness astronomers have demonstrated in fashioning tools to study the unseeable…As Gates so aptly demonstrates, describing how a science works toward a solution provides…enjoyment for any reader." — Marcia Bartusiak, Washington Post
"Gates uses one of Einstein’s great ideas to weave together mathematics, astrophysics, and cosmology into a coherent and, dare I say it, compelling narrative that maps out the frontiers of contemporary research." — Pedro Ferreira, Science
"Through Gates’s ambitious book, everyone will appreciate the puzzles of the dark Universe—and the power and beauty of gravitational lensing." — Joachim Wambsganss, Nature
"A fantastic story from modern cosmology…down-to-earth, accessible, and fun." — Sean Carroll, author of New York Times best-selling Something Deeply Hidden
"If you wonder what the world is and how it works and how it works on the grandest scale, here’s your guidebook!" — Robert P. Kirshner, Clowes Professor of Science, Harvard University, and author of The Extravagant Universe
"As exciting as it is informative." — Booklist (starred review)
"An enthusiastic update on the search for the materials that make up the universe…Splendidly satisfying reading." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
