First Light - by Emma Chapman (Paperback)

About the Book

First Light opens a window into a previously dark and secret time in our Universe's history - the time when the first stars were born.

Book Synopsis

'Illuminating and entertaining'
The Washington Post

Astronomers have successfully observed a great deal of the Universe's history, from recording the afterglow of the Big Bang to visualising the shadow of a black hole. However when it comes to understanding how the Universe began and grew, we have literally been in the dark.

This book tells the story of the Cosmic Dawn - the time when the very first stars burst into life. These celestial giants were hundreds of times more massive than the Sun and a million times more luminous: lonely blue stars that lived fast and died young in enormous explosions, seeding the Universe with the elements that would eventually make up life itself.

First Light illuminates this previously unknown, billion-year timeline. Astrophysicist Emma Chapman tells how these stars formed, why they were so unusual and what they can teach us about the universe today. She also also gives a first-hand look at the immense telescopes that are taking us from the realm of theoretical physics towards the wonder of looking back in time using observational astronomy. This revised edition has been updated to contain the latest findings across astronomy, from radio interferometry to gravitational waves and contains a brand new chapter covering the triumphant discovery of the first galaxies by the James Webb Space Telescope.

Review Quotes

"An illuminating-and entertaining-look at the earliest stars of our cosmos.
Chapman is a witty and straightforward guide ... and her enthusiasm for the chase is infectious.
First Light conveys the wonder and mystery of darkness suddenly illuminated by magnificent starlight." --Washington Post

"Thoroughly engaging ... allows us to see science in the making, chronicles current attempts to reveal this hidden era - what we know and what we don't know. Chapman herself is in the thick of this endeavor and serves as a wonderful guide, whose voice is reminiscent of Carl Sagan's, although with an extra and very welcome dollop of impish humor." --Wall Street Journal

"First Light is a fantastic debut on the popular science scene for Emma Chapman that fleshes out the context around these two key functions. My opinion: come for the state-of-the-art on the first stars, stay for the comprehensive primer on modern cosmology, and revel in the footnotes." --Nature Astronomy

"First Light is a dispatch from the frontiers of science, from a brain fizzing with ideas and energy." --Chris Lintott, BBC Sky at Night

"Her everyday examples of complex concepts are conversational, witty and elucidating ... Chapman manages to effectively convey the gist of most of this most complicated of space sciences ... Chapman's most valuable asset here, aside from her obvious expertise, is her enthusiasm ...
All of this is astounding, so much so that it almost defies explication, which is why it is such a treat to have someone of Chapman's stature willing to carry us along as she reaches for these ancient stars." --The Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Throughout First Light, Chapman's authenticity and humour shine through ... In short, this is a charming book that is as fun to read as it is informative, making it as ideal for the casual reader as for those with an existing understanding of the field." --Physics World

"First Light presents an intriguing view of the early universe, weaving in historical discoveries and amusing personal anecdotes. The reader will leave with a newfound appreciation for the complexity of our universe and the challenges faced by modern astronomers" --American Scientist

About the Author

Emma Chapman is a Royal Society research fellow based at the University of Nottingham. She has been the recipient of multiple commendations and prizes, including the 2018 Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellowship and STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship, as well as the Institute of Physics Jocelyn Bell Burnell Prize and the Royal Society Athena Medal. Emma is a respected commentator on astrophysical matters and regularly contributes to the Guardian and BBC radio, and speaks at public events.