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The Wraparound Universe
What shape is the universe? Is it curved and closed in on itself? Is it expanding? Where is it headed? Could space be wrapped around itself, such that it produces ghost images of faraway galaxies? Such are the questions posed by Jean-Pierre Luminet in The Wraparound Universe , which he then addresses in clear and accessible language. An expert in black holes and the big bang, he leads us on a voyage through the surprising byways of space-time, where possible topologies of the universe, explorations of the infinite, and cosmic mirages combine their mysterious traits and unlock the imagination. The Wraparound Universe is a general-audience book about the overall topology or shape of the universe. The central question addressed is whether it is possible that the universe is wrapped around in an interesting way, and what impact this would have on astronomical observations and our understanding of cosmology. Along the way many of the general features and much of the history of the modern picture of cosmology are discussed.
- GenresScienceNonfiction
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2001
7 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Jean-Pierre Luminet
89 books29 followersJean-Pierre Luminet est un astrophysicien, conférencier, écrivain et poète français, spécialiste de réputation internationale des trous noirs et de la cosmologie. Il est directeur de recherche au CNRS, membre du Laboratoire d'astrophysique de Marseille (LAM), après avoir été longuement membre du Laboratoire Univers et Théories (LUTH) de l’observatoire de Paris-Meudon, auquel il reste affilié. Il est également chercheur associé au Centre de Physique Théorique de Marseille (CPT).
Membre de plusieurs académies et sociétés savantes, il est lauréat de nombreux prix (voir Distinctions), notamment le Prix Européen de la Communication Scientifique 2007. L'astéroïde (5523) Luminet, découverte à l'observatoire Palomar en 1991, porte son nom en hommage à ses travaux.
De par ses activités de poète, essayiste, romancier et scénariste, dans une œuvre voulant lier science, histoire, musique et art, il est également Officier des Arts et des Lettres. Il a publié une quinzaine d’essais, sept romans et sept recueils de poèmes, traduits en une douzaine de langues, ainsi que des CD, des DVD et des documentaires pour la télévision. Il est aussi musicien, graveur et sculpteur. Il a collaboré avec des compositeurs comme Gérard Grisey, Hèctor Parra, Régis Campo ou Karol Beffa.
Membre de plusieurs académies et sociétés savantes, il est lauréat de nombreux prix (voir Distinctions), notamment le Prix Européen de la Communication Scientifique 2007. L'astéroïde (5523) Luminet, découverte à l'observatoire Palomar en 1991, porte son nom en hommage à ses travaux.
De par ses activités de poète, essayiste, romancier et scénariste, dans une œuvre voulant lier science, histoire, musique et art, il est également Officier des Arts et des Lettres. Il a publié une quinzaine d’essais, sept romans et sept recueils de poèmes, traduits en une douzaine de langues, ainsi que des CD, des DVD et des documentaires pour la télévision. Il est aussi musicien, graveur et sculpteur. Il a collaboré avec des compositeurs comme Gérard Grisey, Hèctor Parra, Régis Campo ou Karol Beffa.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 1, 2022
POSTED AR AMAZON 2009
Unique topic that has not been explored in any cosmology book I know..
I fully agree with earlier reviews. It is a beautiful and important book that will expand any cosmology follower's knowledge. I have never encountered a cosmic topology subject in numerous publications dealing with Universe (please see my Listmania). I had no idea of topology role in establishing whether global shape of space is finite or infinite.
Briefly: we learn, that for spherical finite space general relativity shows how to indirectly measure the curvature of the space. Its value depends on the average density of matter/energy that it contains. However for the geometries of the two other families, Euclidean and hyperbolic, the finite or infinite character of space no longer depends simply on the curvature and on the energy density: it depends on the TOPOLOGY !
While for decades observational cosmology pushed itself to determine the curvature parameters directly while neglecting the topological possibilities, it could be that in the XXI century, it would be primarily the experimental determination of the topology of the Universe that would allow us to fix, with great precision, the curvature and the cosmological constant - those traditional parameters on which the ultimate fate of the cosmos depends: perpetual expansion or eventual contraction. Is theory of Big Bang truly valid and confirmed? - author presents its limits and simplifications. However I must admit that some parts of the book are not easy, as reader is asked to jump from two to three dimensions. This require stretching imagination to the limit (chapters about multiply connected spaces leading to cosmic crystallography methods). Lack of glossary of terms is detrimental, particularly, because there are many of them here, not to be found in other cosmology books. Nevertheless it is fascinating lecture - do not miss it !
Unique topic that has not been explored in any cosmology book I know..
I fully agree with earlier reviews. It is a beautiful and important book that will expand any cosmology follower's knowledge. I have never encountered a cosmic topology subject in numerous publications dealing with Universe (please see my Listmania). I had no idea of topology role in establishing whether global shape of space is finite or infinite.
Briefly: we learn, that for spherical finite space general relativity shows how to indirectly measure the curvature of the space. Its value depends on the average density of matter/energy that it contains. However for the geometries of the two other families, Euclidean and hyperbolic, the finite or infinite character of space no longer depends simply on the curvature and on the energy density: it depends on the TOPOLOGY !
While for decades observational cosmology pushed itself to determine the curvature parameters directly while neglecting the topological possibilities, it could be that in the XXI century, it would be primarily the experimental determination of the topology of the Universe that would allow us to fix, with great precision, the curvature and the cosmological constant - those traditional parameters on which the ultimate fate of the cosmos depends: perpetual expansion or eventual contraction. Is theory of Big Bang truly valid and confirmed? - author presents its limits and simplifications. However I must admit that some parts of the book are not easy, as reader is asked to jump from two to three dimensions. This require stretching imagination to the limit (chapters about multiply connected spaces leading to cosmic crystallography methods). Lack of glossary of terms is detrimental, particularly, because there are many of them here, not to be found in other cosmology books. Nevertheless it is fascinating lecture - do not miss it !
January 20, 2015
Un grand livre sur la topologie, qui aborde de façon assez claire les concepts mathématiques nécessaire pour comprendre une théorie passionnante.
April 18, 2025
I loved the book! I’d definitely recommend for those interested in the universe as a whole and big scales! I’ve never heard before of Cosmic Topology and this is an excellent book to be intrigued. It’s also a well written book, from the general overview of topology in the universe and different scales, passing through some regular topics in the universe discussion more as a background or completeness and ending with a detailed explanation of the author’s work related to the wraparound universe. For me is a must read to open the mind in topics that are not regularly found in popular science books.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews