Reviewed by Jean Worsley
Retired Biology Teacher
This book is beautifully illustrated with stunning photos of scientists and astronomical phenomena. Readers will become familiar with scientific concepts, historical events, and topics of current and future research. Unique features include the symbol highlighted on the title page and the book's creative use of color on pages, captions, and titles. The Table of Contents lists the Introduction, four chapters, four "asides," endnotes, web sites, bibliography, and index.
The mystery is what is space? Where did it begin? How far does it expand? What and where did time come from? How do we tell time? These are questions that will confront readers about where they are in the scheme of space and time. Also, the
author describes how space and time dominate our lives by the ways we take on the universe.
An in–depth explanation of the international system developed to indicate a particular location and time on the planet Earth is included. Time and space are defined in a historical narrative beginning with the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Babylonians. They related space and time as they observed celestial bodies and lunar and solar cycles in the universe. They developed units of measurement, instruments, and calendars. Further, curious readers will be amazed to learn how the days of the week were named and the origin of many units of time. Instruments to measure time, from sun dials to the most accurate time keeper today—the atomic clock, are
described.
The use of geometry in developing clocks is also noted. An interesting aside reveals the role that Julius Caesar played in establishing the longest year in history. The final discussion focuses on the age of the Earth, the Sun, and the Big Bang Theory. This narrative reveals how scientific progress is made as scientists and mathematicians in different countries examine the work of others to determine credibility and fallacies. This is indeed significant because it serves as an introduction to the scientific method. Research in space and time is continuing. With international cooperation in research centers such as The Centre for Quantum Engineering and Space–Time Research (QUEST) and Germany’s Leibniz Hannover, high precision clocks are being made for future space missions.
Images from the renowned Hubble Space Telescope have shown that the universe is expanding at an enormous speed. However, the biggest mystery in the realm of space and time is the ultimate fate of the universe and several possibilities are explored. Additional "Spacetime Asides" focus on novels, films of time travelers, and the Hubble Space Telescope. This is an excellent resource to introduce concepts of space and time.
Review posted on 9/14/2012
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