The Known Unknowns: The Unsolved Mysteries of the Cosmos

Our understanding of the universe has advanced significantly over the last five hundred years, but many fundamental mysteries remain. Lawrence Krauss' book "The Known Unknowns" explores these mysteries and invites us to ponder and appreciate the universe in which we live.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Our understanding of ourselves and the cosmos has advanced immeasurably over the last five hundred years of modern science, yet many fundamental mysteries of existence persist. How did our Universe begin, if it even had a beginning? How big is it? What's at the bottom of a black hole? How did life on Earth arise? Are we alone? Is time travel possible? These mysteries define the threshold of the unknown. To explore that threshold is to gain a deeper understanding of just how far science has progressed. In "The Known Unknowns," bestselling popular science writer Lawrence Krauss explores science's greatest known unknowns. Covering time, space, physical law, life, and consciousness, Krauss introduces readers to the topics that will shape the state of science of the next few decades and invites us to ponder and appreciate the universe in which we live.

In the first chapter, "The Beginning of Time," Krauss explores the origins of the universe. He explains that the Big Bang Theory is the most widely accepted explanation for the creation of the universe, but he also discusses alternative theories, such as the multiverse theory and the cyclic universe theory. He argues that the Big Bang Theory is the most likely explanation because it explains the observed universe's properties, such as its size, age, and composition.

In the second chapter, "The Size of the Universe," Krauss discusses the size of the universe. He explains that the universe is incredibly vast, with a diameter of approximately 93 billion light-years. He also discusses the concept of dark energy, which is a mysterious force that is responsible for the expansion of the universe. Krauss argues that dark energy is the most important discovery in the history of science and that it has the potential to change our understanding of the universe.

In the third chapter, "The Bottom of a Black Hole," Krauss explores the bottom of a black hole. He explains that a black hole is a region of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. He discusses the theory of quantum gravity, which is a theory that seeks to explain the behavior of black holes. Krauss argues that quantum gravity is the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe.

In the fourth chapter, "The Origin of Life on Earth," Krauss explores the origin of life on Earth. He explains that life on Earth began with the formation of the Earth's atmosphere, which was made possible by the presence of water. He discusses the theory of evolution, which is a theory that explains the diversity of life on Earth. Krauss argues that evolution is the most important discovery in the history of science and that it has the potential to change our understanding of ourselves.

In the fifth chapter, "Are We Alone?" Krauss explores the possibility of extraterrestrial life. He explains that there is a high probability that there is life on other planets in the universe, but that we have not yet found any evidence of it. He discusses the search for extraterrestrial life, including the use of telescopes and the search for exoplanets. Krauss argues that the search for extraterrestrial life is one of the most important scientific endeavors of our time.

In the sixth chapter, "Is Time Travel Possible?" Krauss explores the possibility of time travel. He explains that time travel is a theoretical concept that has been explored by scientists for many years. He discusses the different types of time travel, including the time machine and the wormhole. Krauss argues that time travel is not possible in the way that it is depicted in science fiction, but that it may be possible in the future.

In conclusion, "The Known Unknowns" is a fascinating book that explores science's greatest known unknowns. Krauss introduces readers to the topics that will shape the state of science of the next few decades and invites us to ponder and appreciate the universe in which we live. Whether you are a science enthusiast or a casual reader, this book is sure to inspire you.

Weight: 198g
Dimension: 197 x 130 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781801100656