From the Big Bang to Planet X: The 50 Most-Asked Questions About the Universe and Their Answers

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

In this delightful little reference book, astronomy writer and
commentator Terence Dickinson answers the 50 most-asked questions about
the universe. Aimed at the layperson, Dickinson’s answers are concise
and easy to comprehend. Most are illustrated with drawings or photos.

Although some readers may feel that any attempt to answer such
questions as “What is a black hole?” in a few paragraphs will
inevitably result in gross oversimplification, there is sufficient
information in each answer to satisfy most people. For those who require
more detailed information, Dickinson has supplied an annotated
mini-bibliography for each question. The influence of the public is
apparent in the choice of subjects, which extend beyond astrophysics to
include UFOs, extraterrestrials, and the “face” on Mars. Dickinson
addresses each question seriously, and, where several theories exist,
presents all of them.

This book would make an excellent addition to the reference collections
of public, high-school, and academic libraries.