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The Little Book of Black Holes

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( 505 ratings, 70 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Little Book of Black Holes offers an accessible journey through the fascinating physics of black holes, from their prediction by Einstein's theory of relativity to modern-day discoveries. Steven Gubser and Frans Pretorius explain black holes as both astrophysical objects and theoretical laboratories, covering concepts like Schwarzschild and rotating black holes, gravitational and Hawking radiation, and the groundbreaking detection of gravitational waves by LIGO. The book combines clear explanations, creative thought experiments, and historical context to demystify one of the universe's most intriguing phenomena.
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Format: Hardback
$5999

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers seeking a rudimentary yet insightful understanding of black holes, including enthusiasts of physics and astronomy who appreciate clear explanations that stimulate further exploration.

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Dive into a mind-bending exploration of the physics of black holes

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Dive into a mind-bending exploration of the physics of black holes

Black holes, predicted by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity more than a century ago, have long intrigued scientists and the public with their bizarre and fantastical properties. Although Einstein understood that black holes were mathematical solutions to his equations, he never accepted their physical realityβ€”a viewpoint many shared.

This all changed in the 1960s and 1970s, when a deeper conceptual understanding of black holes developed just as new observations revealed the existence of quasars and X-ray binary star systems, whose mysterious properties could be explained by the presence of black holes. Black holes have since been the subject of intense research, and the physics governing how they behave and affect their surroundings is stranger and more mind-bending than any fiction.

After introducing the basics of the special and general theories of relativity, this book describes black holes both as astrophysical objects and theoretical 'laboratories' in which physicists can test their understanding of gravitational, quantum, and thermal physics. From Schwarzschild black holes to rotating and colliding black holes, and from gravitational radiation to Hawking radiation and information loss, Steven Gubser and Frans Pretorius use creative thought experiments and analogies to explain their subject accessibly. They also describe the decades-long quest to observe the universe in gravitational waves, which recently resulted in the LIGO observatories' detection of the distinctive gravitational wave 'chirp' of two colliding black holesβ€”the first direct observation of black holes' existence.

The Little Book of Black Holes takes readers deep into the mysterious heart of the subject, offering rare clarity of insight into the physics that makes black holes simple yet destructive manifestations of geometric destiny.

'A concise introduction to one of the Universe's strangest phenomena... It is probably just about right for a person who wants to acquire a rudimentary understanding of black holes, while also being a good introduction and stimulant for someone who might decide to explore further.' - Anthony Toole, Waterstones

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  • The Little Book of Black Holes
    Dive into a mind-bending exploration of the physics of black holes Black holes, predicted by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity more than a century ago, have long intrigued scientists and the public with their bizarre and fantastical properties. Although Einstein understood that black holes were mathematical solutions to his equations, he never accepted their physical realityβ€”a viewpoint many shared....
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Library Journal praised the author's ability to introduce complex subjects simply without maths. ForeWord noted the book condenses vast information into a concise format, and New Scientist highlighted how it encourages profound questions and curiosity despite its challenging content.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691163727

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 10 October 2017

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 29 line illus.

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 454g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Steven S. Gubser (19722019) was professor of physics at Princeton University. His books include The Little Book of String Theory (Princeton). Frans Pretorius is professor of physics at Princeton. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

Also by Steven S. Gubser

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