"He takes the reader on a four-century-long scientific quest to discover our place in the universe, beginning with the Copernican hypothesis and Galileo's discovery of four of Jupiter's planets. . . . An exciting, highly readable glimpse into a discovery that could have broad scientific and cultural implications."--PublishersWeekly.com (starred review)
Review
“Jayawardhana is among a posse of cosmic cowboys mapping the space frontier... His work and that of others is discussed in Strange New Worlds, a science book written in a lively way for star-struck laymen.” --Toronto Star
"Everything you need to know about alien planet discovery is insightfully described in this engaging book..." - Library Journal (starred review)
“With the seemingly endless stream of news about discoveries of alien planets, it's easy to forget that just 20 years ago exoplanets were no more than theoretical possibilities. Now astronomer Ray Jayawardhana tells the story of how the dramatic hunt has unfolded, from the early days of stellar astronomy to present-day speculation about life outside our solar system.” -- New Scientist
“Professor Jayawardhana is an award-winning science writer and an eminent planet-hunter, and so is the perfect person to write an accessible guidebook to the new worlds we're discovering in our galaxy. He explains how many of those discovered so far are pretty exotic, bloated and massive or scorchingly close to their sun, and how we've even had our first weather report for another world. But what's most exciting is that this book explains how we now have within our grasp the ability to spot a true twin of Earth.” -- BBC Focus
"Anyone scanning the shelves today to learn about such urgent news from the universe should go directly 'J' and take down Ray Jayawardhana's Strange New Worlds. It begins with early speculation by ancient thinkers but moves quickly to a series of seemingly promising discoveries, beginning 160 years ago, that raised researchers' hopes only to frustrate them. . . . [R]eading Strange New Worlds, I felt the thrill of briefly sharing in the efforts of these planet-seeking scientists and seeing the universe through their eyes."--Mike Brown, Wall Street Journal
"We are in the midst of a veritable golden age of discovery... Ray Jayawardhana provides here a dramatic account of how this story has unfolded over the years - and you won't find a more able guide for the journey. He is an eminent astrophysicist and planet hunter himself, and is an award-winning science writer. This combination of the insider's expert perspective and storyteller's skill really shines through in Strange New Worlds." -- Times Higher Education
"In Strange New Worlds, Ray Jayawardhana surveys how 15 years of exoplanet discovery has changed astrophysics... His lucid and effortless prose makes for an engaging read." - Chris Tinney, Nature
"Are we alone in the universe? The question is no longer unanswerable. Ray Jayawardhana, an astrophysicist and writer, vividly recounts the advances behind an extraordinary age of exploration." -- The Australian
Description:
From Publishers Weekly
"He takes the reader on a four-century-long scientific quest to discover our place in the universe, beginning with the Copernican hypothesis and Galileo's discovery of four of Jupiter's planets. . . . An exciting, highly readable glimpse into a discovery that could have broad scientific and cultural implications."--PublishersWeekly.com (starred review)
Review
“Jayawardhana is among a posse of cosmic cowboys mapping the space frontier... His work and that of others is discussed in Strange New Worlds, a science book written in a lively way for star-struck laymen.” --Toronto Star
"Everything you need to know about alien planet discovery is insightfully described in this engaging book..." - Library Journal (starred review)
“With the seemingly endless stream of news about discoveries of alien planets, it's easy to forget that just 20 years ago exoplanets were no more than theoretical possibilities. Now astronomer Ray Jayawardhana tells the story of how the dramatic hunt has unfolded, from the early days of stellar astronomy to present-day speculation about life outside our solar system.” -- New Scientist
“Professor Jayawardhana is an award-winning science writer and an eminent planet-hunter, and so is the perfect person to write an accessible guidebook to the new worlds we're discovering in our galaxy. He explains how many of those discovered so far are pretty exotic, bloated and massive or scorchingly close to their sun, and how we've even had our first weather report for another world. But what's most exciting is that this book explains how we now have within our grasp the ability to spot a true twin of Earth.” -- BBC Focus
"Anyone scanning the shelves today to learn about such urgent news from the universe should go directly 'J' and take down Ray Jayawardhana's Strange New Worlds. It begins with early speculation by ancient thinkers but moves quickly to a series of seemingly promising discoveries, beginning 160 years ago, that raised researchers' hopes only to frustrate them. . . . [R]eading Strange New Worlds, I felt the thrill of briefly sharing in the efforts of these planet-seeking scientists and seeing the universe through their eyes."--Mike Brown, Wall Street Journal
"We are in the midst of a veritable golden age of discovery... Ray Jayawardhana provides here a dramatic account of how this story has unfolded over the years - and you won't find a more able guide for the journey. He is an eminent astrophysicist and planet hunter himself, and is an award-winning science writer. This combination of the insider's expert perspective and storyteller's skill really shines through in Strange New Worlds." -- Times Higher Education
"In Strange New Worlds, Ray Jayawardhana surveys how 15 years of exoplanet discovery has changed astrophysics... His lucid and effortless prose makes for an engaging read." - Chris Tinney, Nature
"Are we alone in the universe? The question is no longer unanswerable. Ray Jayawardhana, an astrophysicist and writer, vividly recounts the advances behind an extraordinary age of exploration." -- The Australian