From one of our most acclaimed science writers: a dramatic narrative of the discovery of the true nature and startling size of the universe, delving back past the moment of revelation to trace the decades of work--by a select group of scientists--that made it possible. On January 1, 1925, thity-five-year-old Edwin Hubble announced findings that ultimately established that our universe was a thousand trillion times larger than previously believed, filled with myriad galaxies like our own. It was a realization that reshaped how humans understood their place in the cosmos. Six years later, continuing research by Hubble and others forced Albert Einstein to renounce his own cosmic model and finally accept the astonishing fact that the universe was not immobile but instead expanding. The story of these interwoven discoveries includes battles of will, clever insights, and wrong turns made by the early investigators in this great twentieth-century pursuit, from the luminaries (Einstein, Hubble, Harlow Shapley) to the lesser known: Henrietta Leavitt, who discovered the means to measure the vast dimensions of the cosmos . . . Vesto Slipher, the first and unheralded discoverer of the universe’s expansion... Georges Lemaître, the Jesuit priest who correctly interpreted Einstein’s theories in relation to the universe... Milton Humason, who, with only an eighth-grade education, became a world-renowned expert on galaxy motions... and others. Here is the watershed moment in our cosmic history, splendidly arising from the exceptional combination of human curiosity, intelligence, and enterprise. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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"I found this to be an excellent run through of our findings about the universe up to this point - I feel like I have a better understanding of how we got to our current model. There was also just enough humor to prevent me from getting bored. Yay! ^_^" — Chance (5 out of 5 stars)
"I found this to be an excellent run through of our findings about the universe up to this point - I feel like I have a better understanding of how we got to our current model. There was also just enough humor to prevent me from getting bored. Yay! ^_^"
“One of our most thrilling science writers, has captured the excitement of the amazing years at the beginning of the 20th century when we truly discovered our universe. With a great cast of astronomers and physicists—from Lowell to Hale to Hubble to Einstein—this book is a cosmic delight.”
“Astrophysicists remember the 1920s as the birth of modern cosmology—a time rich with colorful characters and stunning revelations of our place in the universe. Bartusiak brings this explosive period of cosmic discovery to life.”
“Bartusiak's intelligent and engaging book may well become the standard popular account.”
“Delivered with wit, clarity and occasional drama, Marcia Bartusiak's The Day We Found the Universe is a small wonder…A science writer of rare gifts…Bartusiak manages to convey the mind-bending complexity of the astronomers' task and the scope of the work while never losing sight of the human elements (fame, ego, pioneer spirit, competitive drive) that drive the pursuit.”
“[A] fascinating and accessible book.”
“Bartusiak, a renowned science writer, has crafted a remarkable story of the events and people leading to our awakening comprehension of the larger universe. [She] presents figures…with the skill of a novelist; their personalities transcend the page. This book will appeal to a wide readership.”
“This tale is not about breakthroughs. It focuses on the dramatic insights, sidesteps and missed opportunities, persistence, pride and bits of luck that accompany the scientific process…Bartusiak's account never gets boring and never feels anticlimactic. Instead, moments of drama and intimacy make the reader forget…the final outcome: the Milky Way is merely one of many stellar collections in a vast universe.”
“Bartusiak explores the technical aspects of Hubble’s findings in an accessible way and skillfully profiles the many researchers who helped lay the groundwork for Hubble’s momentous discovery…The author ably rescues these neglected figures from historical obscurity…bringing many of the scientists to vivid life…A dynamic journey through an important period in the history of astronomy.”
" History is boring, Astronomy is fun. So, this book was half way in between. "
" Terrific account of early 20th century astronomy, and how our current understanding of the universe was developed. "
" An excellent history of the century of astronomical discoveries and controversies that led ultimately to the now-accepted theory of an expanding universe. Extremely well written and often gripping. "
" If you are at all interested in astronomy then this is a very good read. Basically, it tells the story of how our understanding of the universe changed, specifically in understanding that our galaxy is not the only galaxy. "
Marcia Bartusiak is Professor of the Practice, Graduate Program in Science Writing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the award-winning author of several previous books, including The Day We Found the Universe. She lives in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Erik Synnestvedt has recorded nearly two hundred audiobooks for trade publishers as well as for the Library of Congress Talking Books for the Blind program. They include The Day We Found the Universe by Marcia Bartusiak, A Game as Old as Empire edited by Steven Hiatt, and Twitter Power by Joel Comm.
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