The Unknown Universe: The Origin of the Universe, Quantum Gravity, Wormholes, and Other Things Science Still Can't Explain (Hardcover)

~ Ph.D. Richard Hammond (Author)
Key Phrases: cosmic acceleration, unknown universe, The Unknown Universe, Standard Model, The Hiees Particle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For the past 10 years, physicists have been banging their heads against the wall, trying to understand one of the greatest new mysteries of the cosmos: Why is the universe pulling itself apart at an ever-increasing rate? Is this a mysterious new force--dark energy--or must we alter our most fundamental theories of time and space?

For 30 years, we have been struggling to understand the nature of dark matter--the mysterious invisible matter that outweighs "normal" matter 10 to one and fills the "empty" spaces in our galaxies.

For 50 years, we have grappled with the seditious theory of gravity, which has failed to fall in line with all other known forces.

But the biggest mystery of all time--one that dates back to man's earliest writings--is our universe, and physicists are the detectives trying to piece together disparate clues that continually turn our view of the cosmos upside down.

The Unknown Universe describes how physicists view the creation of our universe, when space and time itself came into being, and how stars formed and exploded, seeding the universe with new stars and galaxies, including our own solar system. This book also explores some of science's newest theories and their implications, such as string theory, which suggests a seemingly bizarre world of 10 dimensions yet may explain quantum gravity.

It also describes the biggest conundrums physicists are grappling with today. From dark matter to cosmic rays, from black holes to wormholes, Dr. Hammond explains how these vexatious riddles arose. Filled with personal insights from his own research and historical interludes, The Unknown Universe drags some of our darkest enigmas into the light of day.

This is an essential and fascinating reference work for professionals and amateurs alike.

About the Author

Dr. Richard Hammond has published numerous scientific articles in a wide range of fields, from general relativity to quantum mechanics, and has pioneered a new theory of gravitation that has won international acclaim. He has won awards from NASA for his research and teaching, international awards for research on gravity, and was invited to Cal Tech's Jet Propulsion Lab to study solar system tests of Einstein's theory. Hammond is an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and works for the Army Research Office as a theoretical physicist.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: New Page Books (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601630034
• ISBN-13: 978-1601630032
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #448,580 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mysteries of the Universe!, May 9, 2008

By	Terry Pilling (North Dakota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Professor Hammond guides us on a personal tour of the unsolved mysteries of physics at the forefront of current research. His sense of humor and writing style make this book an exciting read. He discusses unsolved mysteries from the Higgs particle all the way to dark energy. I really enjoyed this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and informative book-great read!, May 27, 2008

By	Janet Ryan - See all my reviews

The Unknown Universe helped me to understand many questions I had about the origin of the universe. I really liked how it was written, using interesting questions for the reader to answer at the beginning of the chapters. Also, the style of writing was fun to read, not like many science books which are (to this reader) usually very technical and difficult to understand. Professor Hammond helped to make the topics that he wrote about understandable in a fun and interesting way that anyone could understand. I had trouble putting it down once I got started!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars recommended for community library metaphysical studies collections, July 10, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

What in the Universe is going on with our universe? "The Unknown Universe: The Origin of the Universe, Quantum Gravity, Wormholes, and Other Things Science Still Can't Explain" looks at these baffling questions that humanity doesn't have the answer to and potentially never will. With a focus on the enigma of dark matter, and a sudden challenge to the almost-accepted-as-fact theory of gravity, "The Unknown Universe" is a thought provoking look at little pieces of information that completely turn everything humanity knows upside down. Highly recommended for community library metaphysical studies collections.