What We Are Reading Today: ‘How the Universe Got Its Spots’ by Janna Levin

What We Are Reading Today: ‘How the Universe Got Its Spots’ by Janna Levin
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Updated 01 January 2025 21:54
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘How the Universe Got Its Spots’ by Janna Levin

What We Are Reading Today: ‘How the Universe Got Its Spots’ by Janna Levin

Is the universe infinite or just really big? With this question, cosmologist Janna Levin announces the central theme of this book, which established her as one of the most direct, unorthodox, and creative voices in contemporary science.

As Levin sets out to determine how big “really big” may be, she offers a rare intimate look at the daily life of an innovative physicist, complete with jet lag and the tensions between personal relationships and the extreme demands of scientific exploration.

Nimbly explaining geometry, topology, chaos, and string theory, Levin shows how the pattern of hot and cold spots left over from the big bang may one day reveal the size of the cosmos.