Description
The universe is filled with extreme events: galactic collisions, supernovae eruptions, and stellar implosions. Although not always visible through optical telescopes, these processes generate x-rays, high-energy particles that travel at the speed of light. The Violent Universe reveals how astronomers use color to understand the energy and intensity of these x-rays—in the process transforming invisible particles into gorgeous images of the cosmos—and how these scientists discover more about the exotic objects that produce them.
Kimberly Weaver traces the development of x-ray astronomy from the 1950s, when the first artificial satellites began transmitting information from deep space. By juxtaposing a selection of images from optical telescopes with those of cutting-edge x-ray telescopes, she illustrates the way x-ray astronomy captures energy and activity that cannot be seen in visible light.
The book is illustrated with stunning four-color images of galaxies, quasars, pulsars, and black holes captured by Chandra, an enormous x-ray satellite that orbits Earth from a distance 200 times higher than that of the Hubble Space Telescope.
The Violent Universe makes plain the amazing new astronomy that has unmasked the thunderous cosmos—a dynamic science that daily creates breathtaking art.Reviews
"The Violent Universe is sure to captivate beyond a readership of astronomy students alone."—Library Bookwatch"A complete and engaging history of astronomy as seen through X-ray eyes . . . Weaver's easy-to-understand text does an outstanding job of bringing high-energy science to a wide audience. Esoteric concepts like black-hole physics and active galactic nuclei are explained with grace and clarity. The Violent Universe stands out as an excellent look at the heavens in a way that only our space telescopes can capture by anyone can appreciate."—Sky & Telescope "Weaver presents stunning full-colour X-ray images of the universe and explains what they tell us about the cosmos."—Physics World
Author Information
Kimberly Weaver is an astronomer and adjunct associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Johns Hopkins University.
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