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Things That Go Bump in the Universe: How Astronomers Decode Cosmic Chaos
Experience the drama of the explosive cosmos and the astonishing discoveries being made about the universe's wildest phenomena. The violent birth of the universe was only the first bang of a very bumpy ride. This unfathomably cacophonous beginning has spawned blasts, implosions, cosmic cannibalism, collisions, and countless other fleeting energetic events punctuating the cosmos. Although often brief, these transient phenomena pack a powerful punch. Armed with decades of theoretical progress, unrivaled computing power, and cutting-edge technology, astronomers find themselves at the cusp of understanding not just the events themselves, but also how those events reveal the story of the entire cosmos. In Things That Go Bump in the Universe , astronomer and science writer C. Renée James introduces us to her colleagues around the world, who are using pioneering research techniques to explore everything from the very first explosions in the universe to the dark energy that could destroy it all. Along the way, James describes the history of transient astronomy, how the universe presents itself through various astronomical messengers, and the unexpected connections between different phenomena. Capturing the drama of a wild, violent cosmos for the curious reader, James explains a different category of transient event in each chapter, using easy-to-understand metaphors and stories to explain the science behind these awe-inspiring, cosmological encounters. Things That Go Bump in the Universe explores the incredible discoveries being made in this revolutionary field, the tools used to detect cosmic events, and the astronomical mysteries that continue to puzzle observers and theorists. James weaves together the stories of our turbulent universe―informative, entertaining, frequently perplexing, and occasionally philosophical―and the people who are trying to make sense of it.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 14, 2023
32 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 11, 2024
Very interesting book on how we measure/observe space, time, and cosmic phenomena. Lots of fascinating information on the many ways stars die and the multitude of ways they end up. It’s quite funny how often popular and widely accepted theories in cosmology, astrophysics, and quantum physics are completely wrecked once the ability to measure or observe them is developed or refined.Ìý
January 6, 2024
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4/5 stars
*Spoiler alert!*
Things That Go Bump in the Universe by astronomer C. Renee James is one of my first nonfiction reads in quite a while. I happened upon the title while listening to one of my many science podcasts, where the podcast hosts interviewed the author herself to talk about her book, which spotlights the field of transient astronomy.
This field is concerned with the chaotic constituents of the universe, things that often explode, like stars into supernovae at the end of their lives, or black holes colliding and releasing enormous amounts of energy. (I’m listening!) A barbaric inner part of me was intrigued by the view of a universe that was a veritable demolition derby, albeit at a mostly safe distance from Earth.
May we all be more excited rather than daunted about the secrets the universe is keeping, as much as James is!
One of the places astronomy took its first steps into the study of transient phenomena was the Harvard College Observatory, where women were the workhouse “computers� charged with making sense of huge amounts of observational data. (Similar to the computers at NASA, before it was called NASA, who were instrumental in helping jumpstart the space program, landing a man on the moon. See Hidden Figures, the book and the movie.) One of these computers was Henrietta Leavitt, who was nicknamed the “Variable Star Fiend.� (Hell yeah!)
If Leavitt wasn’t badass enough for you, she has a law named after her now, because she discovered a certain class of variable stars—ones which brighten or dim on a predictable timescale—that helped astronomers calculate cosmic distances. A step which helped us grasp how small we are and how large the universe is. As a result, these variable stars were called “standard candles.� (Leavitt and other pioneering women astronomers are starting to get their due. Leavitt now has a radio telescope named after her. Finally!)
It was thanks to her work that astronomers were able to grasp not only the huge scale of the universe, but that the universe itself is expanding.
While supernovae and black holes and gravitational waves are cool and all, I found myself unduly interested in the chapters about the unpredictable phenomena that may take aim at life on Earth. Paramount among them are gamma ray bursts (GRBs), which astronomers tentatively linked to extremely energetic supernovae, whose particles could tear apart the ozone layer that protects us from the worst of the sun and other cosmic radiation not conducive to life. And then scour the planet of its life. (Sweet dreams!)
It may be consoling to know that we are unlikely to be subject to such an event any time soon, seeing as GRBs have only been observed by astronomers looking at distant galaxies.
(This whole idea about GRBs made me think of Supernova Era, by Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin, where an energetic supernova kills everyone over age 13 after mere months, leading to a transition to a human society where children run the show. Think Lord of the Flies but worse. This book sometimes keeps me up at night.)
Overall, James� book is an accessible account of the advances of transient astronomy and the stories of the astronomers behind them. I would recommend any curious soul to read Things That Go Bump in the Universe.
Happy reading!
--BookOwl
4/5 stars
*Spoiler alert!*
Things That Go Bump in the Universe by astronomer C. Renee James is one of my first nonfiction reads in quite a while. I happened upon the title while listening to one of my many science podcasts, where the podcast hosts interviewed the author herself to talk about her book, which spotlights the field of transient astronomy.
This field is concerned with the chaotic constituents of the universe, things that often explode, like stars into supernovae at the end of their lives, or black holes colliding and releasing enormous amounts of energy. (I’m listening!) A barbaric inner part of me was intrigued by the view of a universe that was a veritable demolition derby, albeit at a mostly safe distance from Earth.
“Before I knew it, I found myself working with more and more transient astronomers. I researched topics for a new article, a new class, and ultimately this book. Down the rabbit holes I went, dashing this way to explore supernovae, and then that way to listen for colliding black holes, and then...what’s that? Multi-messenger astronomy just acquired a new messenger? Amazing! The rabbit holes were being dug faster than I could run, and each month—no, each week—brought new discoveries and fresh insights. Not only did some of the residents in our universe change in a flash, but so did our understanding of them.
In a quiet moment of reflection, I mapped out the rabbit holes and realized that they were all part of a single warren...Now, many years later, I can say without hesitation that I do not know plenty about the universe, thank you very much. I have only begun to appreciate the interconnectedness of the short-lived, often violent events and the enduring, well-behaved stars—and us.�
May we all be more excited rather than daunted about the secrets the universe is keeping, as much as James is!
One of the places astronomy took its first steps into the study of transient phenomena was the Harvard College Observatory, where women were the workhouse “computers� charged with making sense of huge amounts of observational data. (Similar to the computers at NASA, before it was called NASA, who were instrumental in helping jumpstart the space program, landing a man on the moon. See Hidden Figures, the book and the movie.) One of these computers was Henrietta Leavitt, who was nicknamed the “Variable Star Fiend.� (Hell yeah!)
“In a universe of messy interactions, extreme conditions, and epic explosions, reliability is a very useful feature indeed.�
If Leavitt wasn’t badass enough for you, she has a law named after her now, because she discovered a certain class of variable stars—ones which brighten or dim on a predictable timescale—that helped astronomers calculate cosmic distances. A step which helped us grasp how small we are and how large the universe is. As a result, these variable stars were called “standard candles.� (Leavitt and other pioneering women astronomers are starting to get their due. Leavitt now has a radio telescope named after her. Finally!)
It was thanks to her work that astronomers were able to grasp not only the huge scale of the universe, but that the universe itself is expanding.
“Reliability allows astronomers to use Leavitt’s law to gauge cosmic distances, divining the energy output from timing in a Cepheid variable star’s ups and downs.�
While supernovae and black holes and gravitational waves are cool and all, I found myself unduly interested in the chapters about the unpredictable phenomena that may take aim at life on Earth. Paramount among them are gamma ray bursts (GRBs), which astronomers tentatively linked to extremely energetic supernovae, whose particles could tear apart the ozone layer that protects us from the worst of the sun and other cosmic radiation not conducive to life. And then scour the planet of its life. (Sweet dreams!)
It may be consoling to know that we are unlikely to be subject to such an event any time soon, seeing as GRBs have only been observed by astronomers looking at distant galaxies.
(This whole idea about GRBs made me think of Supernova Era, by Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin, where an energetic supernova kills everyone over age 13 after mere months, leading to a transition to a human society where children run the show. Think Lord of the Flies but worse. This book sometimes keeps me up at night.)
Overall, James� book is an accessible account of the advances of transient astronomy and the stories of the astronomers behind them. I would recommend any curious soul to read Things That Go Bump in the Universe.
Happy reading!
--BookOwl
March 28, 2024
Listened to the audiobook for this (which was wonderful) after hearing the author on the Pale Blue Pod. She does an amazing job of explaining these concepts for folks who aren’t astrophysicists and making them as endlessly fascinating as they really are. Plus the chapter titles are great. I’m sure some of it went over my head but she never made me feel like it was above me. Love this book so much.
May 13, 2024
I have read a few books that got into cosmology, but they were all from the point of view of a theoretical physicist. It was interesting to read about this from the point of view of an astronomer instead …a lot more detail into how we are measuring things and the history of discoveries.
December 1, 2023
For casual physics autodidacts this is a great read that can followed easily.
Want to read
February 17, 2024Nice review:
Excerpt: "the book is at times dense, but it also dazzles. It recasts modern astronomy as the search for transient, explosive events, and the messages they contain if only we can decode them."
Excerpt: "the book is at times dense, but it also dazzles. It recasts modern astronomy as the search for transient, explosive events, and the messages they contain if only we can decode them."
March 9, 2024
Lots of True Stories of Real Scientists in this entertaining book which describes the development of transient astronomy from Fritz Zwicky's initial search for supernova's in the 1930s to gravity wave observations in very recent years. It's though I thought the language was a bit casual and glib, as if the intended reader was in Junior High, rather than an educated and interested adult. Also, the book could have used more visual elements, particularly since the author often describes advances portrayed (to her) on 3D computer simulations, but the reader is left to guess/imagine what is being shown.
December 28, 2023
Clear and enthusiastic explanations of astronomical events, like supernovae, pulsars, star systems with more than one star (imagine two or three suns in the sky) and so on. It’s refreshing, and a little terrifying (pace Pascal) how vast space is, how much energy some of these events put out, and how tiny our planet is, also how infinitely lucky we are. .
March 13, 2024
good popularization of astronomy, strong narrative and good communication.
With universe spatial and temporal scales and phenomenon, this was a nice respite from the politics and news of the here and now as well.
With universe spatial and temporal scales and phenomenon, this was a nice respite from the politics and news of the here and now as well.
May 27, 2024
I expected more from this book. A glossary would have been a great addition to the book. In my view topics weren't fully explained. The book would have benefited from some restating concepts to make a clear point as to what a topic is imporant or what the author was trying to convey
January 31, 2025
This book does a good job tracing the history of gamma ray bursts and other related phenomenon over time while keeping the science accessible. The author also does a good job of relating the scientist's perspectives.
February 20, 2024
I’ve never been interested in astronomy but this book had me hooked the entire time!
February 7, 2025
Not a review. But I liked this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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