The Edge of Physics
A Journey to Earth's Extremes to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe
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Narrated by:
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L. J. Ganser
About this listen
In this deeply original book, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy sets out in search of the telescopes and detectors that promise to answer the biggest questions in modern cosmology. Why is the universe expanding at an ever faster rate? What is the nature of the "dark matter" that makes up almost a quarter of the universe? Why does the universe appear fine-tuned for life? Are there others besides our own?
Ananthaswamy soon finds himself at the ends of the earth in remote and sometimes dangerous places. Take the Atacama Desert in the Chilean Andes, one of the coldest, driest places on the planet, where not even a blade of grass can survive. Its spectacularly clear skies and dry atmosphere allow astronomers to gather brilliant images of galaxies billions of light-years away. Ananthaswamy takes us inside the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope on Mount Paranal, where four massive domes open to the sky each night "like dragons waking up." He also takes us deep inside an abandoned iron mine in Minnesota, where half-mile-thick rock shields physicists as they hunt for elusive dark matter particles. And to the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, where engineers are drilling 1.5 miles into the clearest ice on the planet. They're building the world's largest neutrino detector, which could finally help reconcile quantum physics with Einstein's theory of general relativity.The stories of the people who work at these and other dramatic research sites, from Lake Baikal in Siberia to the Indian Astronomical Observatory in the Himalayas to the subterranean lair of the Large Hadron Collider make for a compelling new portrait of the universe and our quest to understand it.
An atmospheric, engaging, and illuminating read, The Edge of Physics depicts science as a human process, bringing cosmology back down to earth in the most vivid terms.
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As smartphones, supercomputers, supercolliders, and AI propel us into an ever more unfamiliar future, How to Speak Science takes us on a rollicking historical tour of the greatest discoveries and ideas that make today's cutting-edge technologies possible. Wanting everyone to be able to "speak" science, YouTube science guru Bruce Benamran explains - as accessibly and wittily as in his acclaimed videos - the fundamental ideas of the physical world: matter, life, the solar system, light, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, special and general relativity, and much more.
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Wowzers!
- By Ralph Temblador on 02-15-21
By: Bruce Benamran, and others
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Calculating the Cosmos
- How Mathematics Unveils the Universe
- By: Ian Stewart
- Narrated by: Dana Hickox
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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In Calculating the Cosmos, Ian Stewart presents an exhilarating guide to the cosmos, from our solar system to the entire universe. He describes the architecture of space and time, dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies form, why stars implode, how everything began, and how it's all going to end. He considers parallel universes, the fine-tuning of the cosmos for life, what forms extraterrestrial life might take, and the likelihood of life on Earth being snuffed out by an asteroid.
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Crank alert: rejects modern cosmology
- By James Weisner on 03-20-17
By: Ian Stewart
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The Cosmic Cocktail
- Three Parts Dark Matter
- By: Katherine Freese
- Narrated by: Tamara Marston
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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The ordinary atoms that make up the known universe - from our bodies and the air we breathe to the planets and stars - constitute only 5 percent of all matter and energy in the cosmos. The rest is known as dark matter and dark energy, because their precise identities are unknown. The Cosmic Cocktail is the inside story of the epic quest to solve one of the most compelling enigmas of modern science - what is the universe made of? - told by one of today’s foremost pioneers in the study of dark matter.
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I was looking for a book about science....
- By Jeff on 03-27-15
By: Katherine Freese
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Einstein's Cosmos
- How Albert Einstein's Vision Transformed Our Understanding of Space and Time: Great Discoveries
- By: Michio Kaku
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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A dazzling tour of the universe as Einstein saw it. How did Albert Einstein come up with the theories that changed the way we look at the world? By thinking in pictures. Michio Kaku, leading theoretical physicist (a cofounder of string theory) and best-selling science storyteller, shows how Einstein used seemingly simple images to lead a revolution in science. With originality and expertise, Kaku uncovers the surprising beauty that lies at the heart of Einstein's cosmos
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Mix of science and the man
- By B. Ruple on 11-03-13
By: Michio Kaku
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Confessions of an Alien Hunter
- A Scientist's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
- By: Seth Shostak
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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This engaging memoir reveals the true story of the Search for ExtraterrestrialIntelligence (SETI), and discloses what we may very soon discover. Chronicling the program’s history with insight and humor, SETI senior astronomer Seth Shostak assures us that if there is sentient life in the universe, we are within decades of picking up its signal.
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Somewhat Disappointed...
- By Tim on 11-12-10
By: Seth Shostak
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About Time
- Cosmology, Time and Culture at the Twilight of the Big Bang
- By: Adam Frank
- Narrated by: David Drummond
- Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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The Big Bang is all but dead, and we do not yet know what will replace it. Our universe's "beginning" is at an end. What does this have to do with us here on Earth? Our lives are about to be dramatically shaken again - as altered as they were with the invention of the clock, the steam engine, the railroad, the radio and the Internet.
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More fluff than science
- By Ivan the Reviewer on 04-15-13
By: Adam Frank
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A Brief Welcome to the Universe
- A Pocket-Sized Tour
- By: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, J. Richard Gott
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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A Brief Welcome to the Universe offers a breathtaking tour of the cosmos, from planets, stars, and galaxies to black holes and time loops. Best-selling authors and acclaimed astrophysicists Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott take listeners on an unforgettable journey of exploration to reveal how our universe actually works. Propelling you from our home solar system to the outermost frontiers of space, this book builds your cosmic insight and perspective through a marvelously entertaining narrative.
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A brief welcome for everyone
- By Ashley F on 08-24-24
By: Neil deGrasse Tyson, and others
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Paradox
- The Nine Greatest Enigmas in Physics
- By: Jim Al-Khalili
- Narrated by: Matthew Waterson
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Throughout history, scientists have come up with theories and ideas that just don't seem to make sense. These we call paradoxes. The paradoxes Al-Khalili offers are drawn chiefly from physics and astronomy and represent those that have stumped some of the finest minds. With elegant explanations that bring the listener inside the mind of those who've developed them, Al-Khalili helps us to see that, in fact, paradoxes can be solved if seen from the right angle.
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Almost Useless
- By Michael on 06-19-19
By: Jim Al-Khalili
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The Physics of Star Trek
- By: Lawrence M. Krauss
- Narrated by: Larry McKeever
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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What actually happens when the words, "beam me up, Scottie" are uttered? What "warps" when something travels at warp speed? Internationally renowned theoretical physicist and educator Lawrence M. Krauss provides matter-of-fact scientific explanations of the physics of Star Trek in this highly creative and informative guide for both the devoted Trekkie and the physics novice.
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Interesting Book. Quite Technical
- By Christopher B. on 12-07-04
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A Short History of Nearly Everything
- By: Bill Bryson
- Narrated by: Richard Matthews
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Bill Bryson has been an enormously popular author both for his travel books and for his books on the English language. Now, this beloved comic genius turns his attention to science. Although he doesn't know anything about the subject (at first), he is eager to learn, and takes information that he gets from the world's leading experts and explains it to us in a way that makes it exciting and relevant.
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The Only Book I reread imediatley after reading
- By Andrew on 11-09-09
By: Bill Bryson
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The Universe in the Rearview Mirror
- How Hidden Symmetries Shape Reality
- By: Dave Goldberg
- Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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A physicist speeds across space, time, and everything in between showing that our elegant universe from the Higgs boson to antimatter to the most massive group of galaxies is shaped by hidden symmetries that have driven all our recent discoveries about the universe and all the ones to come. Why is the sky dark at night? Is it possible to build a shrink-ray gun? If there is antimatter, can there be antipeople? Why are past, present, and future our only options? Are time and space like a butterfly's wings? No one but Dave Goldberg, the coolest nerd physicist on the planet, could give a hyper-drive tour of the universe like this one.
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Good, but for whom?
- By Michael on 08-31-13
By: Dave Goldberg
What listeners say about The Edge of Physics
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kindle Customer
- 04-21-12
Less Physics & More Travel Literature & History
I enjoyed this book. I bought it for a road trip with my partner, he is an engineer and I am an Arts student and this appealed to us both. Although the title is the edge of physics it is less about the physics itself and much more travel writing in the pursuit of how present theories are being tested. I enjoyed the history behind the theories well as the travel, and my partner enjoyed the aspects where the author described how they are attempting to prove various theories like string theory and multiple universes.
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- Matthew
- 08-05-10
A History of Modern Astronomy
This was interesting and I continued reading it even though I realized after a while that this was more of a lesson in history and geography then anything on the 'edge of physics'. I'll read the description a little more closely next time. For what it is, this is a good book. The narrator does a great job and it was an enjoyable book. I wouldn't recommend it though unless you get really jazzed by the history of science.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Dan Greene
- 04-05-12
Good information
Any additional comments?
An interesting look at the complex machines these physicist brainiacs build to observe and measure these crazy waves and particles. The author discusses the machines but also discusses the astronomy, the quantum stuff, and the overall theories on unification. I made progress in my slow investigation of this kind of material. It helped me to really begin to understand large energy machines and the dance between particles and wave and energy stuff. It amazed me when he was talking how these people are trying to catch tiny particles and using bended light to see around galaxies - it makes me realize people are way smart - there's no other animal that even begins to understand this stuff, yet humans have created machiens that measure and detect particles, waves, and phenomenon from billions of light years away and that reach beyond the sub-atomic scale - its amazing!
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Overall
- Amazon Customer
- 06-05-10
Physics ain't for wussies!
This book is an adventure brochure of the most extreme places on Earth where scientists need to go to experiment and observe, in pursuit of the boundaries of scientific knowledge. If you're going to find the Higg's Boson or prove String Theory, that's just the way it is. So the author goes around the world, and to the poles, describing the incredible feats of engineering and harsh environments where this science is done. The author has a way with words, and his descriptions are poetic. The hard science in the book is kept to layman's terms, no equations, no complex scientific analogies. On the whole, it is a good book, I listened to the entire thing and enjoyed it. 4/5 stars only because it is more about the extreme locations where physics is being done, rather than the extreme concepts in physics itself. Great narrator.
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15 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Chris Reich
- 01-16-11
Wonderful!
Having read a number of these kind of books, I can say that they span a wide range of readability and technicality. This book is very readable, accessible. And, it's just technical enough to be interesting while explaining some pretty technical subjects such as the search for WIMPs.
The stories are great and hopefully will enhance the readers respect for scientific research.
A+ A lot of fun, very interesting and educational. That's a great read in my book.
Chris Reich
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8 people found this helpful
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- David
- 04-14-10
Surprised by the personal, earthiness of Anil
Anil excels in letting you feel the lives of the people and places of discovery.
The ending was disappointing. It's style and emphasis were obviously not Anil's. The editor's heavy handedness glared over Anil's in an attempt to interject the manipulated contrivance and preachiness of the 'Global Warming' cult.
Luckily, Anil's own unique, warm personal wonder and respect for the honest sweat and sacrifice of true discovery touches a reader's heart and mind.
Enjoy this book. =)
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13 people found this helpful
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- K. Clark
- 07-09-12
Interesting, but over my head!
Would you try another book from Anil Ananthaswamy and/or L. J. Ganser?
Yes, it stretches me! I've really enjoyed what I've been able to understand. LOVED it when the announcement about the Higgs Boson was made regarding dark matter, and at least I had an inkling what they were talking about!!
Would you recommend The Edge of Physics to your friends? Why or why not?
Yes, I have already. I have shared it with my 11 year old son, just to stretch his thinking as well. It's ok to listen and not understand every word and concept!
Would you listen to another book narrated by L. J. Ganser?
Yes, I like the narrator!
Do you think The Edge of Physics needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
Who knows! Don't ask me, like I said, I'm struggling with what I'm learning now (and I'm pretty smart!),
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- Mr Green
- 04-29-15
Excellent adventure around the world if physics!
A well told story of the extremes we are going to in the pursuit of knowledge. A relentless and unending journey to explore the origins of the universe.
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- Sageeve Prabhakaran
- 12-13-10
Excellent book
This book gives us an excellent insight to the origin and evolution of the universe, particularly how scientists achieve this using the advanced instuments. I was really excited to hear, how the author explains many advanced concepts in physics in a simple understandable manner. I will buy more books from this author irrespective of the subject. Excellent work.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Hermit189
- 06-12-21
Space - a Mystery
I enjoyed listening to this book although it was beyond my understanding much of the time. The reader was superb and captivating even in the dense scientific passages. If one is curious about space, astronomy and astrophysics, this book is for you,
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