{"product_id":"supermassive-isbn-9781588347893","title":"Supermassive","description":"\u003cb\u003eBlack holes, demystified: follow along the quest to understand the history and influence of one of space science's most fascinating and confounding phenomena\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLed by physicist James Trefil and astrophysicist Shobita Satyapal, this book traverses the incredible history of black holes and introduces contemporary developments and theories on still unanswered questions about the enigmatic objects. From the early work of Albert Einstein and Karl Schwarzschild to an insider look at black hole-galaxy connection research led by co-author Satyapa, the comprehensive book surveys an exciting and evolving branch of space science, with topics that include:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisibility of black holes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuasars, the brightest objects in the universe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe black hole at the center of the Milky Way\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePopular theories on the origin of black holes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCosmic X rays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeath of supermassives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack hole collisions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack holes in science fiction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInvisible to the naked eye and telescopes, black holes have mystified and entranced astronomers, scientists, and humanity for more than a century. The first image of a supermassive black hole was only unveiled in 2019, and new black holes are continually discovered. \u003ci\u003eSupermassive \u003c\/i\u003eilluminates what we know about black holes so far and what we have yet to uncover.\u003cb\u003eSCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This comprehensive and insightful book explores the history of black holes, offering readers an eye-opening journey through their discovery and the science behind proving their existence. Written by a physicist and an astrophysicist, the book provides space enthusiasts with a rare insider’s perspective on the groundbreaking advancements that led to our current understanding of black holes. [...] Its strength lies in the authors’ evident passion for the subject and their admiration for the scientists who contributed to these discoveries. VERDICT A thrilling tour of the universe, spanning from its origins to its potential end.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCHOICE\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\"Trifil and Satyapal excel at showing how both observational and theoretical science work. For example, research and theories on black holes inform their analysis of the potential end of the universe. Most of these are “hot” topics in modern science, about which this book provides a useful introduction.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"An energetic tour of massively important mysteries.\" - \u003cb\u003eDaniel Whiteson\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eFrequently Asked Questions about the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Put on your track shoes! Trefil and Satyapal will take you on a steeplechase though the history of astrophysics that clears many hurdles, avoids the water hazards, and leads to a deeper understanding of black holes, and, along the way, how science works. They take you to the edge of today’s understanding and peer into the abyss beyond. Only measurement will tell us which ideas are right and we are building the instruments to learn.” - \u003cb\u003eRobert P. Kirshner\u003c\/b\u003e, Executive Director of the TMT International Observatory and author of \u003ci\u003eThe Extravagant Universe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eSupermassive \u003c\/i\u003etakes readers on a fascinating journey that emphasizes the crucial roles played by black holes throughout cosmic history and for our cosmic future. Trefil and Satyapal's clear writing and historical vignettes make it easy to understand how these enigmatic objects, once thought to be merely hypothetical, are now known to govern a wide variety of cosmic situations, from the hearts of quasars and ordinary galaxies such as our Milky Way, to strange worlds of the quantum and gravitational radiation.\" - \u003cb\u003eDonald Goldsmith\u003c\/b\u003e, the co-author of \u003ci\u003eOrigins\u003c\/i\u003e with Neil deGrasse Tyson and \u003ci\u003eThe End of Astronauts\u003c\/i\u003e with Martin Rees\u003cb\u003eJAMES TREFIL \u003c\/b\u003eis a professor of physics at George Mason University. He has written more than 50 books about science for the general audience and has served as Contributing Editor for Science for \u003ci\u003eUSA TODAY Weekend \u003c\/i\u003eand as a regular contributor and science consultant for \u003ci\u003eSmithsonian \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eAstronomy \u003c\/i\u003emagazines. \u003cb\u003eSHOBITA SATYAPAL\u003c\/b\u003e is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at George Mason University. She received the NASA Presidential Early Career Award for her work on infrared spectroscopy and instrumentation. Her research centers on understanding the connection between the growth and evolution of supermassive black holes and the host galaxies in which they reside.","brand":"Smithsonian Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46304464011493,"sku":"NP9781588347893","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781588347893.jpg?v=1767737601","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/supermassive-isbn-9781588347893","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}