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Our Universe: An Astronomer’s Guide Hardcover – April 8, 2019

by Jo Dunkley (Author)

4.6 180 ratings

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Jo Dunkley combines her expertise as an astrophysicist with her talents as a teacher and writer in this lively and exceptionally clear introduction to the structure and history of the universe and its enduring mysteries.

Most of us have heard of black holes and supernovas, galaxies and the Big Bang. But few of us understand more than the bare facts about the universe we call home. What is really out there? How did it all begin? Where are we going?

Jo Dunkley begins in Earth’s neighborhood, explaining the nature of the Solar System, the stars in our night sky, and the Milky Way. She then moves out past nearby galaxies―and back in time―to the horizon of the observable universe, which contains over a hundred billion galaxies, each with billions of stars, many orbited by planets, some of which may host life. These visible objects in space sit in a web of dark matter, mysterious stuff we cannot see or yet understand. Dunkley traces the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang fourteen billion years ago, past the birth of the Sun and our planets, to today and beyond. She explains cutting-edge debates about such perplexing phenomena as the accelerating expansion of the universe and the possibility that our universe is only one of many.

Our Universe conveys with authority and grace the thrill of scientific discovery and a contagious enthusiasm for the endless wonders of space-time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This luminous guide to the cosmos encapsulates myriad discoveries. Astrophysicist Jo Dunkley swoops from Earth to the observable limits, then explores stellar life cycles, dark matter, cosmic evolution, and the soup-to-nuts history of the Universe. No less a thrill are her accounts of tenth-century Persian astronomer Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi, twentieth- and twenty-first-century researchers Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Vera Rubin, and many more.”―Nature

“Dunkley takes her readers on a grand tour of space and time, from our nearest planetary neighbors to the edge of the observable Universe…If you feel like refreshing your background knowledge, or are looking for a present for your curious niece or nephew, this little gem certainly won’t disappoint.”―Govert Schilling, BBC Sky at Night

“Combining observational cosmology with a solid theoretical framework, Dunkley’s Our Universe takes us on a cosmic tour…This is a book any future observational or theoretical astrophysicist would love to have.”―Ethan Siegel, Forbes

“Provides a high-level overview of our understanding of the universe that is a good introduction for those unfamiliar with astrophysics.”―Jeff Foust, Space Review

“What with all the commonly appearing stories about space making their way into both the old and new news media these days, an understanding of just what we presently know about what’s ‘out there,’ how we presently think it formed, how it all works together, and where it’s all going is not only fascinating, it also helps to keep things in perspective.”―Johannes E. Riutta, Well-Read Naturalist

“A fascinating, accessible introduction to the universe, covering topics ranging from the Big Bang and the ‘cosmic dawn’ of the first stars to the ongoing search for exoplanets and for dark matter and energy…Dunkley gives readers a commanding view onto the universe and the wonders to be found in it.”―Publishers Weekly

“Jo Dunkley is an internationally acclaimed cosmologist. She is also a fine expositor, and this book splendidly conveys what we’ve learnt about the universe, and the exhilarating progress we can expect in coming decades.”―Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal of Great Britain

“Jo Dunkley takes us on a fantastic journey through our universe―elegantly weaving together history and the latest scientific discoveries. On her way, she subtly restores all the forgotten women scientists to their rightful places in what has been a male-dominated story until now.”―Andrea Wulf, author of The Invention of Nature

“A grand overview of modern cosmology from one of the leaders in the field. Dunkley guides us through astronomical history, at every stage explaining the twists and turns and surprises, right up to the most recent discoveries. Readers will have a real appreciation of the most exciting developments in astrophysics of the last millennium, the last century, and the last year.”―Michael Strauss, Princeton University

“Jo Dunkley is an amiable guide to the universe, but there's no dawdling in this fast-paced tour. This slender volume whisks you from our own blue marble out to the edge of the universe and the beginning of time. Dunkley is especially good at explaining how the whispers from the Big Bang itself tell us about dark matter and dark energy and hint at its explosive origin in cosmic inflation.”―Robert P. Kirshner, Harvard University

“This book is simply superb―beautifully written and very clear. It incorporates all the major recent results, and indicates what might come from telescopes now being built.”―Jocelyn Bell Burnell, University of Oxford

About the Author

Jo Dunkley is Professor of Physics and Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University. She has won awards from the Royal Astronomical Society, the Institute of Physics, and the Royal Society for her work on the origins and evolution of the universe.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Belknap Press: An Imprint of Harvard University Press (April 8, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0674984285
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0674984288
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.22 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,724,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,582 in Cosmology (Books)
- #2,388 in Astrophysics & Space Science (Books)
- #3,006 in Astronomy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 180 ratings

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Customers find the book informative and educational, with well-presented information. They appreciate the graphic illustrations that support the concepts.

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6 customers mention "Information quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-written. They say it's a great guide for amateur or professional astronomers, providing a clear overview of astronomy and cosmology.

"This is one of the best books I have read on astronomy and astrophysics in a long time (and I read a lot of them)...." Read more

"...Astronomy is my hobby. This book gives the clearest review of astronomy and cosmology of any of the many other books on these topics that I have read..." Read more

"The information in Our Universe is so nicely presented. I am really enjoying and learning a lot. The illustrations support the concepts perfectly...." Read more

"Perfect guide. I read this in the hospital after heart surgery, and it effectively put my anxieties in perspective...." Read more

3 customers mention "Visual quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the illustrations graphic and true, covering the universe in a complete way. The illustrations support the concepts well.

"I loved its very graphic and true" Read more

"...I am really enjoying and learning a lot. The illustrations support the concepts perfectly...." Read more

"A beautiful and complete coverage of the universe!..." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

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Jerry P.
A beautiful and complete coverage of the universe!
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is one of the best books I have read on astronomy and astrophysics in a long time (and I read a lot of them). The author went out of her way to cover the universe from beginning to end (so-to-speak) and does a great job of hitting just about every important topic and making it understandable for most anyone with an interest to learn. I have been involved with science and engineering most of my life (having worked for JPL and on the Space Shuttle for NASA) and I often find a need to recommend a good book on astrophysics to someone who doesn't have a lot of math background. Well, I have found it in this book! It would be hard to find a more complete and understandable coverage than this. Vera Rubin, one of the great astronomers mentioned prominently in this book once said "My life has been an interesting voyage. I became an astronomer because I could not imagine living on Earth and not trying to understand how the Universe works." If you really want to understand how this universe works, I would recommend you read this book.

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4 people found this helpful

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James C.
Excellent review of current thinking on cosmology.
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2022
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My background is chemistry. Astronomy is my hobby. This book gives the clearest review of astronomy and cosmology of any of the many other books on these topics that I have read. It is a real page -turner!

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One person found this helpful

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Maria
I love it
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2023
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I loved its very graphic and true

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Fred Carl
Love this book
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
The information in Our Universe is so nicely presented. I am really enjoying and learning a lot. The illustrations support the concepts perfectly. This is an excellent book that is infused with Dr. Dunkley's love of cosmology. You can feel the excitement one has advancing this exciting science.

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7 people found this helpful

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Charles Bane
Wonders
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
Perfect guide. I read this in the hospital after heart surgery, and it effectively put my anxieties in perspective. I wrote the author an email after and received a gracious reply.

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2 people found this helpful

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Melanie eaton
FANTASTIC BOOk
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2020
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AWESOME book. Very educational and written in a way that makes sense! Excellent read and it is completely full of mind blowing information. LOVED it.

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One person found this helpful

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Ossie Weinert
A wonderful book written for an amateur astronomer or the professional.
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019
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A well written book that even an amateur astronomer like myself could enjoy. If you like looking at the night sky this will not disappoint you.

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One person found this helpful

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Teresa B.
Delivery
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2022
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Book is aa described, it just took a little longer than I am use to.

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Top reviews from other countries

Pats86
Astronomical
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
I expected this to be a good read, I was not disappointed it was excellent.
Jo Dunkley leaves you with a lot to meditate on once you finish each chapter,
she delves into the nity gritty of some difficult subjects and the last two chapters "the nature of space" and "from start to finish" as engaging as anything I have read on cosmology and specifically dark matter and dark energy.

She is certainly an excellent communicator of science/astronomy/cosmology.
Yes there are other books on this subject that go very deep into subjects here but if you want an upto date view of modern astronomy and cosmology this is just the one.

Hope she opens another in the near future, I for one will read it.

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Arupratan
An Excellent Overview of Modern Cosmology
Reviewed in India on November 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book, in my humble opinion, is the best available up-to-date overview of modern cosmology. Written in a non-technical and understandable language it can provide answers and ignite amazement to anyone who is interested to know about how we on Earth fit into the larger picture revealed by the strikingly beautiful sky above us.
The production quality of the Pelican series is excellent, too.
An insightful read and absolutely recommended.

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Arupratan

An Excellent Overview of Modern Cosmology
Reviewed in India on November 19, 2019
This book, in my humble opinion, is the best available up-to-date overview of modern cosmology. Written in a non-technical and understandable language it can provide answers and ignite amazement to anyone who is interested to know about how we on Earth fit into the larger picture revealed by the strikingly beautiful sky above us.
The production quality of the Pelican series is excellent, too.
An insightful read and absolutely recommended.

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Manish Agrawal
Exploring the unknown.
Reviewed in India on October 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
It’s a simple and lucid book to understand universe and unknown. One must try to understand and know about universe. Read it while enjoying.

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Wilf Kropotkin
Beautifully written and utterly absorbing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
I've read lots of popular science books and few of them were as well written as this one. The writing is sharp, concise and crystal clear. The subject matter is immense and fascinating and is covered with a deft touch including many well chosen examples and analogies.

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Rohan Doshi
Odd cello tape frame
Reviewed in India on October 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book came today with a cello tape forming a boundary around the frame of the book’s front and back, making it look like it has been tampered with or something. A really odd thing to do.
The quality of the product itself is fine, but the cello tape raises an eyebrow or two.

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Rohan Doshi

Odd cello tape frame
Reviewed in India on October 12, 2020
The book came today with a cello tape forming a boundary around the frame of the book’s front and back, making it look like it has been tampered with or something. A really odd thing to do.
The quality of the product itself is fine, but the cello tape raises an eyebrow or two.

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