First Light: Switching on Stars at the Dawn of Time

(Paperback, Revised edition)

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A window into a previously dark and secret time in our universe's history: when the first stars were born.

Astronomers have successfully observed a great deal of the Universes history, from recording the afterglow of the Big Bang to imaging thousands of galaxies, and even to visualising an actual black hole. But when it comes to understanding how the Universe began and grew, we are literally in the dark ages. In effect, we are missing the first one billion years from the timeline of the Universe.

This brief but far-reaching period in the Universes history, known to astrophysicists as the Epoch of Reionisation, represents the start of the cosmos as we experience it today. The time when the very first stars burst into life, when darkness gave way to light. This was the point at which the chaos of the Big Bang first began to yield to the order of galaxies, black holes and stars, kick-starting the pathway to planets, to comets, to moons and to life itself.

Incorporating the very latest research into this branch of astrophysicsDr Emma Chapman tells us how these stars formed, why they were so unusual and what they can teach us about the Universe today. She also offers a first-hand look at the immense telescopes we use to peer into the past, to take this period in the Universes history from the realm of theoretical physics towards the wonder of observational astronomy.

Reviews

An illuminatingand entertaininglook 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 dont know. Chapman herself is in the thick of this endeavor and serves as a wonderful guide, whose voice is reminiscent of Carl Sagans, 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, Chapmans 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 *

Author Bio

Emma Chapman is a Royal Society research fellow and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, 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.

@DrEOChapman