The Collapsing UniverseIn a world of starquakes, anti-matter, red giants and white dwarfs, a star more massive than our own sun can disappear into a black hole from which not even light can escape. When this happens, the laws of physics have no meaning. Here is one of the great detective stories of modern science, followed to its conclusion by one of the most respected scientists writing today. It is a totally absorbing investigation of a phenomenon, only recently discovered, that may explain the mysterious 30-megaton blast that flattened a Siberian forest in 1908 - and that may, ultimately, be responsible for the collapse of the present universe - book cover. |
Contents
PARTICLES AND FORCES | 1 |
THE PLANETS | 29 |
COMPRESSED MATTER | 55 |
Copyright | |
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astronomers atmosphere atoms average becomes begin big bang billion black hole body bright called charge close collapse compressed consider contract core decrease density detected diameter distance Earth electric electromagnetic force electrons energy enormous equal Equation escape velocity exist expanding fact falling further g/cm³ galaxy giant gravitational field gravitational force gravitational pull greater happens heat hold hydrogen imagine increases instance intensity Jupiter kilometers kind larger less light light-years limit mass massive matter means measure molecules Moon move Nebula neutron star never nova nuclear nuclei object once ordinary particles period planet positive possible pressure produce protons pull pulsar radiation rays reach reason remain result rotating seems shell shift side Sirius slowly smaller space speed Sun's supernova suppose surface gravity temperature tidal effect tiny tion units universe volume weight white dwarf