Nearly 50 years ago it was discovered that the fundamental particles, such as the electron and proton, have `left-handed' interactions - they do not respect mirror symmetry. This experimental fact motivates the idea that a set of `mirror particles' exist. The left-handedness of the ordinary particles can then be balanced by the right-handedness of the mirror particles. In this way mirror reflection symmetry can exist but requires something profoundly new. It requires the existence of a completely new form of matter called `mirror matter'. Remarkably the mirror matter theory is capable of simply explaining a large number of contemporary puzzles in astrophysics and particle physics. The evidence ranges from observations suggesting that most of the matter in the Universe is invisible, to unexpected properties of ghostly particles called `neutrinos'. This book explains this fascinating theory and its evidence at a level accessible to the non-specialist.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Australian physicist Robert Foot, sets out the case for "mirror matter" in highly entertaining style in shadowlands... -- New Scientist, July 27, 2002
By his own admission, Foot maybe mad. He also may be on the verge of a breakthrough redefining the Universe.. -- The Australian, August 7, 2002
By his own admission, Foot maybe mad. He also may be on the verge of a breakthrough redefining the Universe.. -- The Australian, August 7, 2002
From the Publisher
Nearly 50 years ago it was discovered that the fundamental particles, such as the electron and proton have 'left-handed' interactions - they do not respect mirror symmetry. This experimental fact motivates the idea that a set of 'mirror particles' exist. The left-handedness of the ordinary particles can then be balanced by the right-handedness of the mirror particles. In this way mirror reflection symmetry can exist but requires something profoundly new. It requires the existence of a completely new form of matter called 'mirror matter'. Remarkably mirror matter is capable of simply explaining a large number of contemporary puzzles in astrophysics and particle physics. The evidence ranges from observations suggesting that most of the matter in the Universe is invisible, to unexpected properties of ghostly particles called 'neutrinos'. This book explains this fascinating theory and its evidence at a level accessible to the non-specialist.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Response to Jorgen Danielsson's comment.,
By Robert Foot (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shadowlands: Quest for Mirror Matter in the Universe (Paperback)
In defense of my book (which this reviewer has NOT read), let me simply quote from it. On page 148 (in the chapter about the mirror matter interpretation of the Tunguska event) it states: "The mirror body may have some embedded amount of ordinary matter, so a tiny amount of ordinary extraterrestrial material is possible." Thus, the discovery of a small amount of extraterrestrial ordinary matter -- if correct -- does not disprove the mirror matter hypothesis for the Tunguska event (perhaps the book description needs a slight re-wording). Let me just add, that the Tunguska event is only a small part of the evidence for mirror matter, and comprises only about 10 percent of the book. Nevertheless, it is perhaps the most interesting because it suggests the possibility that mirror matter could be extracted from the ground at the Tunguska site.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Spot on Physics Landscape,
By
This review is from: Shadowlands: Quest for Mirror Matter in the Universe (Paperback)
R.Foot is one of the few physicists that seriously investigates the "Mirror Dark Matter" model today,in a field crowded by supersymmetric or quantum gravity models of the still 'dark' contents of our universe.His exposition is very clear and represents a good start for those interested in a different pathway of our quest for the understanding of our strange universe.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A clear exposition of a bold, far-reaching hypothesis,
By
This review is from: Shadowlands: Quest for Mirror Matter in the Universe (Paperback)
At last, a popular physics book that presents a bold far-reaching hypothesis that is actually experimentally testable. This makes a refreshing change from other books of this genre. Could mirror matter really be the "dark matter" whose existence is inferred from its gravitational effects on the visible Universe? We'll have to wait for further experimental and observational results before we know for sure.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Shortly before his death in 1727, Isaac Newton reflected upon his life and wrote: I don't know what I may appear to the world, but, as to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tau Bootis, Physics Letters, Discovery of Mirror Planets, Acta Physica Polonica, Leonid Kulik, Lord Kelvin, Milky Way, Sun's Mass Figure, Western Europe New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Shortly before his death in 1727, Isaac Newton reflected upon his life and wrote: I don't know what I may appear to the world, but, as to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tau Bootis, Physics Letters, Discovery of Mirror Planets, Acta Physica Polonica, Leonid Kulik, Lord Kelvin, Milky Way, Sun's Mass Figure, Western Europe New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 3
books:
2
books
cite this book:
- Finnegans Wake (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin) by James Joyce on page 23
- The Charm of Physics: Collected Essays of Sheldon Glashow (Masters of Modern Physics) by Sheldon L. Glashow in Back Matter
- Advanced Quantum Mechanics by J. J. Sakurai in Back Matter
- The Mystery of the Tunguska Fireball by Surendre M. Verma on page 149, and Back Matter
- Mirror Mirror: A History of the Human Love Affair with Reflection by Mark Pendergrast on page 349
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