One Sententence Summary
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson is an accessible introduction to the mysteries of the cosmos for those who may not have time to dive deep into harder aspects of astrophysics.
Book Genre
Non-Fiction
Main Topic of the Book
Astrophysics
Key Ideas
- The meaning and significance of the universe – From quantum mechanics to the laws of gravity, Tyson explores the deep questions about life and its origin to help readers better understand the universe.
- Black holes and dark energy – The book dives into black holes, dark matter, and dark energy, and the mysteries of what exactly these elements are and their respective functions.
- How the universe was formed – Tyson outlines various theories about how the universe was created, such as the Big Bang theory.
- Exploring exotic phenomena – In this section, Tyson explores phenomena such as wormholes and time-dilation.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part One: Fundamental Principles – Tyson dives into the fundamental principles of astrophysics, such as quantum mechanics, relativity, and laws of gravity.
- Part Two: Nature of the Cosmos – Tyson examines the nature of the cosmos, discussing topics like dark matter, dark energy, and black holes.
- Part Three: Our Solar System – Tyson examines the origin and evolution of the planets and moons in our solar system.
- Part Four: Exotic Phenomena – This section explores more unusual phenomena such as wormholes and time-dilation.
- Part Five: The Structure and Future of the Universe – Tyson examines the various theories about the structure and future of the universe.
Key Takeaways
- Astrophysics is an important field that brings science to the universe.
- The universe is vast and mysterious, and Tyson strives to give readers a better understanding of its mysteries.
- Dark matter, dark energy, and black holes are mysterious elements of the universe which are explored in depth.
- The structure and ultimate fate of the universe is still a mystery, and continues to be studied by scientists.
- Exotic phenomena such as wormholes and time-dilation are fascinating, and Tyson takes us on a journey to explore these mysterious phenomena.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and science communicator. He is internationally renowned as an author and science communicator, and has served as director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City from 1996 to 2016. He holds the title of Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium, and is also a research associate in the department of astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
Target Audience
The target audience of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is people interested in astrophysics who may not have the time or desire to delve into the often complex and difficult equations associated with the field. It is geared towards someone looking for a brief but comprehensive overview of the field from a science communicator and expert.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The book was first published in 2017 by W. W. Norton & Company and was an immediate bestseller.