A Tale of Two Infinities: Gravitational Waves and the Quantum Origin of the Universe's Biggest Mysteries

by Gianfranco Bertone

Overview

b'An incredible tour of our universe's greatest mysteries' Professor Dan Hooper/b

bThis cutting-edge book investigates the extraordinary potential of multimessenger astronomy to revolutionise our understanding of the universe/b

The spectacular advances of modern astronomy have opened our horizon on an unexpected cosmos: a dark, mysterious universe, populated by enigmatic entities we know very little about, like black holes, or nothing at all, like dark matter and dark energy.

This book discusses the extraordinary potential of a new discipline dubbed 'multimessenger astronomy', combining the traditional approach based on the observation of light from celestial objects, with a new method based on other 'messengers' - such as gravitational waves, neutrinos, and cosmic rays - that carry information from otherwise inaccessible corners of the universe.

Interweaving the discussion of multimessenger astronomy with an exploration of the surprising connections between the study of the universe on the largest scales, and the physics of the infinitely small, this text provides an accessible and fascinating introduction to cutting-edge findings in recent cosmology which could soon revolutionize our understanding of the universe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192898159
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/25/2021
Pages:	142
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 5.75(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Gianfranco Bertone, Professor of Astroparticle Physics at the GRAPPA Center of Excellence in Gravitational and Astroparticle Physics, University of Amsterdam

Since completing his PhD at the University of Oxford and the Institute of Astrophysics in Paris, Gianfranco Bertone has held teaching and research positions at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Padova, the Institut d'Astrophysique in Paris and the University of Zurich, before moving permanently to Amsterdam in 2011. He was the Founding Spokesperson of the GRAPPA Center of Excellence in Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics at the University of Amsterdam. Since July 2019 he is the Founding Director of the European Consortium for Astroparticle Theory.

Table of Contents

The architecture of the cosmos9 Spheres of heavenDark foundationsCosmic infernoStories of a certain GravityQueen of the cosmosThe order of heavenThe most beautiful theoryThe new messengersGravitational wavesEinstein's last giftGhost ParticlesBlack HolesPhenomenology of the absurdQuantum effectsUpcoming wavesDark MatterHalos, streams, and lensesNew PhysicsNew portalsDark EnergyPossible explanationsQuantum originsThe futureQuantum genesisIn the beginningInflationPrimordial waves

Editorial Reviews

"The author lets his enthusiasm for the subject and its research enterprises shine through, which is an excellent feature" — Dave Pike, The Observatory

"Particularly timely, and of great appeal to a wide readership from the professional scientist to the intelligent layperson" — Professor Sir James Hough, University of Glasgow

"A timely, engrossing, witty yet scholarly work, this book is essential reading for anybody interested in the cutting edge of cosmology. Prof. Bertone is an expert guide with the rare gift of presenting complex ideas in an accessible, original and compelling way. An armchair journey to the limits of the known universe and beyond!" — Professor Roberto Trotta, Imperial College London and International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA)

"This is an excellent book that will convey to the lay public the excitement of recent discoveries that are bringing us novel and even revolutionary insights about the nature of the cosmos we inhabit" — Professor Abhay Ashtekar, Director of the Institute for Gravitational Physics and Geometry at Pennsylvania State University

"A clear and readable account of humanity's fascination with the cosmos, from ancient times to the Nobel prizewinning observation of gravitational waves. Explains the triumphs and crises of current theories of the origin and structure of the universe in simple, accessible terms. Enjoyable and informative" — Professor Ian Stewart FRS, author of Calculating the Cosmos

"An intriguing blend of cosmic mysteries and observational probes, with a delightfully accessible approach" — Joseph Silk, Homewood Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University

"A lively introduction to the newly emerging field of multi-messenger astronomy, outlining the certainties and possibilities as well as the intriguing open questions - a must-read for young minds who want to venture into this new and exciting journey of cosmic exploration" — Priyamvada Natarajan, astrophysicist and author of Mapping the Heavens: The Radical Scientific Ideas That Reveal the Cosmos

"With equal parts flair and sophistication, Bertone takes us on an incredible tour of our universe's greatest mysteries. The language is at times so evocative you might forget you're actually learning something!" — Dan Hooper, Head of the Theoretical Astrophysics Group, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago

"In this charming book, Gianfranco Bertone considers puts cutting-edge ideas — black holes, dark energy, inflationary cosmology — into their proper context as part of humanity's ongoing quest to understand the universe. Wonderfully written, Tale of Two Infinities manages to illuminate cosmic vistas while never losing sight of the human perspective" — Sean Carroll, author of Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime

"The detection of gravitational waves in 2015 was just the beginning. The insatiably curious seeking context and some sense of the promise of these new starry messengers should look no further. Gianfranco Bertone is a sure guide, and A Tale of Two Infinities is an engaging tour" — Jim Baggott, author of Quantum Reality

"The recent developments in Cosmology have shown that the infinitely big (the Universe) and the infinitely small (fundamental forces and particles, structure of spacetime at the microscopic, subatomic level) have never been so close to each other. Physicists studying both "infinities" ask the same questions and look for the same answers. The reader will feel comfortably cradled between these two infinities. The text manages to present the latest, on-going "revolution" brought about by the recent direct detection of gravitational waves in a simple way yet respecting and reflecting the deep meaning of it. Enjoy!" — Licia Verde, ICREA professor, Instituto de Ciencias del Cosmos (ICC), University of Barcelona

From the Publisher