The Irresistible Attraction of Gravity
A Journey to Discover Black Holes

A journey into Einstein's world of gravity and its captivating objects: black holes, neutron stars, and gravitational waves.

Luciano Rezzolla (Author)

9781009198752, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 March 2023

290 pages, 8 colour illus.
22.2 x 14.5 x 2 cm, 0.5 kg

'A great insider's tale from a member of the team who produced an image hailed as 'the photo of the century'.' Sean Duke, Irish Times

The mystery of gravity has captivated us for centuries. But what is gravity and how does it work? This engaging book delves into the bizarre and often counter-intuitive world of gravitational physics. Join distinguished astrophysicist Professor Luciano Rezzolla on this virtual journey into Einstein's world of gravity, with each milestone presenting ever more fascinating aspects of gravitation. Through gentle exposure to concepts such as spacetime curvature and general relativity, you will discover some of the most curious consequences of gravitational physics, such as black holes, neutron stars and gravitational waves. The author presents and explains one of the most impressive scientific achievements of recent times: the first image of a supermassive black hole. Written by one of the key scientists involved in producing these results, you'll get a behind-the-scenes view of how the image was captured and discover what happens to matter and light near a black hole.

The Beginning of the Journey
1. Gravity...Attracts!
2. The Fathers of Gravity
3. Spacetime, Curvature and Gravity
4. How to Bend Spacetime
5. Neutron Stars: Wonders of Physics
6. Black Holes: Champions of Curvature
7. The First Image of a Black Hole
8. Gravitational Waves: Curvature in Motion
The End of the Journey
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Popular astronomy & space [WNX], Astrophysics [PHVB], Galaxies & stars [PGM], Cosmology & the universe [PGK]