What do you think?
Rate this book
Welcome to the Universe: The Problem Book
An essential companion to the New York Times bestseller Welcome to the UniverseHere is the essential companion to Welcome to the Universe, a New York Times bestseller that was inspired by the enormously popular introductory astronomy course for non science majors that Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott taught together at Princeton. This problem book features more than one hundred problems and exercises used in the original course—ideal for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the original material and to learn to think like an astrophysicist.Whether you’re a student or teacher, citizen scientist or science enthusiast, your guided tour of the cosmos just got even more hands-on with Welcome to the The Problem Book.
The essential companion book to the acclaimed bestsellerFeatures the problems used in the original introductory astronomy course for non science majors at Princeton UniversityOrganized according to the structure of Welcome to the Universe, empowering readers to explore real astrophysical problems that are conceptually introduced in each chapterProblems are designed to stimulate physical insight into the frontier of astrophysicsProblems develop quantitative skills, yet use math no more advanced than high school algebraProblems are often multipart, building critical thinking and quantitative skills and developing readers’ insight into what astrophysicists doIdeal for course use—either in tandem with Welcome to the Universe or as a supplement to courses using standard astronomy textbooks—or self-studyTested in the classroom over numerous semesters for more than a decadePrefaced with a review of relevant concepts and equationsFull solutions and explanations are provided, allowing students and other readers to check their own understanding
The essential companion book to the acclaimed bestsellerFeatures the problems used in the original introductory astronomy course for non science majors at Princeton UniversityOrganized according to the structure of Welcome to the Universe, empowering readers to explore real astrophysical problems that are conceptually introduced in each chapterProblems are designed to stimulate physical insight into the frontier of astrophysicsProblems develop quantitative skills, yet use math no more advanced than high school algebraProblems are often multipart, building critical thinking and quantitative skills and developing readers’ insight into what astrophysicists doIdeal for course use—either in tandem with Welcome to the Universe or as a supplement to courses using standard astronomy textbooks—or self-studyTested in the classroom over numerous semesters for more than a decadePrefaced with a review of relevant concepts and equationsFull solutions and explanations are provided, allowing students and other readers to check their own understanding
- GenresScienceNonfictionPhysics
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2017
About the author
Neil deGrasse Tyson
101 books285k followersNeil deGrasse Tyson was born and raised in New York City where he was educated in the public schools clear through his graduation from the Bronx High School of Science. Tyson went on to earn his BA in Physics from Harvard and his PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia.
In 2001, Tyson was appointed by President Bush to serve on a twelve-member commission that studied the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. The final report was published in 2002 and contained recommendations (for Congress and for the major agencies of the government) that would promote a thriving future of transportation, space exploration, and national security.
In 2004, Tyson was once again appointed by President Bush to serve on a nine-member commission on the Implementation of the United States Space Exploration Policy, dubbed the “Moon, Mars, and Beyond” commission. This group navigated a path by which the new space vision can become a successful part of the American agenda. And in 2006, the head of NASA appointed Tyson to serve on its prestigious Advisory Council, which guides NASA through its perennial need to fit ambitious visions into restricted budgets.
In addition to dozens of professional publications, Dr. Tyson has written, and continues to write for the public. From 1995 to 2005, Tyson was a monthly essayist for Natural History magazine under the title Universe. And among Tyson’s fifteen books is his memoir The Sky is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist; and Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution, co-written with Donald Goldsmith. Origins is the companion book to the PBS NOVA four-part mini-series Origins, in which Tyson served as on-camera host. The program premiered in September 2004.
Two of Tyson’s other books are the playful and informative Death By Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries, which was a New York Times bestseller, and The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet, chronicling his experience at the center of the controversy over Pluto’s planetary status. The PBS NOVA documentary The Pluto Files, based on the book, premiered in March 2010.
In February 2012, Tyson released his tenth book, containing every thought he has ever had on the past, present, and future of space exploration: Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier.
For five seasons, beginning in the fall of 2006, Tyson appeared as the on-camera host of PBS NOVA’s spinoff program NOVA ScienceNOW, which is an accessible look at the frontier of all the science that shapes the understanding of our place in the universe.
During the summer of 2009 Tyson identified a cadre of professional standup comedians to assist his effort in bringing science to commercial radio with the NSF-funded pilot program StarTalk. Now also a popular Podcast, for three years it enjoyed a limited-run Television Series on the National Geographic Channel. StarTalk combines celebrity guests with informative yet playful banter. The target audience is all those people who never thought they would, or could, like science. In its first year on television and in three successive seasons, it was nominated for a Best Informational Programming Emmy.
Tyson is the recipient of twenty-one honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest award given by NASA to a non-government citizen. His contributions to the public appreciation of the cosmos have been recognized by the International Astronomical Union in their official naming of asteroid “13123 Tyson.” And by zoologists, with the naming of Indirani Tysoni, a native species of leaping frog in India. On the lighter side, Tyson was voted “Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive” by People Magazine in 2000.
More recently, Tyson published Astrophysics for People In A Hurry in 2017, which was a domestic and international bestseller. This adorably readable book is an introduction to all that you’ve read and heard about that’s making news in the universe—consummated, in one plac
In 2001, Tyson was appointed by President Bush to serve on a twelve-member commission that studied the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. The final report was published in 2002 and contained recommendations (for Congress and for the major agencies of the government) that would promote a thriving future of transportation, space exploration, and national security.
In 2004, Tyson was once again appointed by President Bush to serve on a nine-member commission on the Implementation of the United States Space Exploration Policy, dubbed the “Moon, Mars, and Beyond” commission. This group navigated a path by which the new space vision can become a successful part of the American agenda. And in 2006, the head of NASA appointed Tyson to serve on its prestigious Advisory Council, which guides NASA through its perennial need to fit ambitious visions into restricted budgets.
In addition to dozens of professional publications, Dr. Tyson has written, and continues to write for the public. From 1995 to 2005, Tyson was a monthly essayist for Natural History magazine under the title Universe. And among Tyson’s fifteen books is his memoir The Sky is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist; and Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution, co-written with Donald Goldsmith. Origins is the companion book to the PBS NOVA four-part mini-series Origins, in which Tyson served as on-camera host. The program premiered in September 2004.
Two of Tyson’s other books are the playful and informative Death By Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries, which was a New York Times bestseller, and The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet, chronicling his experience at the center of the controversy over Pluto’s planetary status. The PBS NOVA documentary The Pluto Files, based on the book, premiered in March 2010.
In February 2012, Tyson released his tenth book, containing every thought he has ever had on the past, present, and future of space exploration: Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier.
For five seasons, beginning in the fall of 2006, Tyson appeared as the on-camera host of PBS NOVA’s spinoff program NOVA ScienceNOW, which is an accessible look at the frontier of all the science that shapes the understanding of our place in the universe.
During the summer of 2009 Tyson identified a cadre of professional standup comedians to assist his effort in bringing science to commercial radio with the NSF-funded pilot program StarTalk. Now also a popular Podcast, for three years it enjoyed a limited-run Television Series on the National Geographic Channel. StarTalk combines celebrity guests with informative yet playful banter. The target audience is all those people who never thought they would, or could, like science. In its first year on television and in three successive seasons, it was nominated for a Best Informational Programming Emmy.
Tyson is the recipient of twenty-one honorary doctorates and the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest award given by NASA to a non-government citizen. His contributions to the public appreciation of the cosmos have been recognized by the International Astronomical Union in their official naming of asteroid “13123 Tyson.” And by zoologists, with the naming of Indirani Tysoni, a native species of leaping frog in India. On the lighter side, Tyson was voted “Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive” by People Magazine in 2000.
More recently, Tyson published Astrophysics for People In A Hurry in 2017, which was a domestic and international bestseller. This adorably readable book is an introduction to all that you’ve read and heard about that’s making news in the universe—consummated, in one plac
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
Read
April 15, 2026"Welcome to the Universe: An Astrophysical Tour" by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott presents an expansive and engaging journey through the cosmos, revealing the scale, structure, and mysteries of the universe while placing human existence into humbling perspective. The book invites readers to step beyond Earth and explore fundamental concepts of astrophysics, from the motion of our planet to the life cycles of stars, the structure of galaxies, and the possibilities of time travel and extraterrestrial life. Through vivid explanations and thought experiments, it transforms complex scientific ideas into an accessible narrative that highlights both the grandeur and strangeness of the universe.
The journey begins with Earth, reminding us that our planet is not stationary but constantly moving through space at immense speed. Earth behaves like a spacecraft, orbiting the sun while tilted at a precise angle that shapes seasons and determines how sunlight is distributed across its surface. This tilt explains why different regions experience varying lengths of day and night, even though the planet as a whole is always evenly split between light and darkness. This perspective challenges everyday assumptions and emphasizes that much of what people perceive is influenced by their position on Earth rather than universal conditions.
From Earth, attention shifts to the sun, the central engine of the solar system. Although it appears yellow to human eyes, it emits white light composed of all visible wavelengths. Its immense energy comes from nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process. This fusion not only powers the sun but also creates the elements that eventually form planets and life. The life cycle of the sun illustrates how stars evolve over billions of years, eventually expanding into red giants and ending as dense remnants. Larger stars follow more dramatic paths, exploding as supernovae and leaving behind neutron stars or black holes. These processes demonstrate that stars are both creators and destroyers, shaping the chemical makeup of the universe.
The exploration continues through the solar system, distinguishing between rocky inner planets and massive gas giants. These planetary families differ in composition, size, and structure, yet they share a common origin in the material left behind after the sun formed. The reclassification of Pluto reflects a deeper understanding of the solar system, recognizing that it belongs to a broader population of icy objects beyond Neptune known as the Kuiper Belt. This shift highlights how scientific knowledge evolves with new discoveries and improved observation techniques.
As the narrative moves beyond the solar system, it introduces the concept of light as a tool for understanding distance and time. Light travels at a finite speed, meaning that observing distant objects is equivalent to looking into the past. Even nearby stars are seen as they existed years ago, while distant galaxies reveal conditions from millions or billions of years in the past. Light also exists in many forms beyond what human eyes can detect, including infrared, ultraviolet, and X-rays, each carrying different amounts of energy. These variations allow scientists to study the universe in greater detail, uncovering phenomena that would otherwise remain hidden.
The book then expands into the structure of galaxies and the processes that create stars. Within the Milky Way, stars are not randomly distributed but organized into clusters and spiral arms. Nebulas act as stellar nurseries where gas and dust collapse under gravity to form new stars. At the same time, the observed motion of stars suggests the presence of unseen mass, leading to the concept of dark matter. Although it cannot be directly observed, dark matter appears to make up a significant portion of the universe’s mass, influencing the behavior of galaxies and cosmic structures.
At the centers of galaxies lie black holes, objects of extreme density where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. These entities define the dynamics of their surrounding regions and represent one of the most intriguing predictions of modern physics. Crossing the boundary of a black hole leads to irreversible consequences, as matter is stretched and compressed under intense gravitational forces. Despite their invisibility, black holes can be studied through their effects on nearby stars and gas, providing insight into the nature of space and time.
The discussion of the universe’s large-scale structure introduces the idea that space itself is expanding. Galaxies move away from each other not because they are traveling through space, but because the space between them is stretching. This expansion began with the big bang, a moment when the universe was extremely dense and hot. Models of the universe suggest different possible futures, including continued expansion or eventual collapse, depending on the balance of forces at play. These models rely on the understanding that the universe operates in four dimensions, combining three dimensions of space with one of time.
The book also explores the possibility of time travel, grounded in the principles of relativity. While traveling faster than light is considered impossible, theoretical constructs such as wormholes and cosmic strings offer potential shortcuts through spacetime. Wormholes could connect distant regions of the universe, allowing travel between them in less time than light would take through normal space. By manipulating these structures, it may even be possible to travel backward in time under certain conditions. Although these ideas remain speculative, they illustrate how modern physics pushes the boundaries of what is conceivable.
Finally, the book addresses one of humanity’s most profound questions: whether life exists beyond Earth. For life to develop, certain conditions must be met, including the presence of liquid water, suitable temperatures, and sufficient time for biological evolution. Scientists use frameworks like the Drake equation to estimate the number of potentially habitable planets and intelligent civilizations. While many such planets may exist, detecting intelligent life is far more challenging due to the vast distances involved and the limited time during which civilizations might be detectable. Despite the uncertainty, the search for extraterrestrial life continues, driven by curiosity and the possibility that humanity is not alone.
In conclusion, "Welcome to the Universe: An Astrophysical Tour" presents a sweeping exploration of the cosmos that reshapes our understanding of existence. It reveals a universe that is vast, dynamic, and filled with phenomena that challenge intuition, while also demonstrating that humans are a small part of a much larger system. By explaining the processes that govern stars, galaxies, and the fabric of space and time, the book encourages a sense of wonder and curiosity. It ultimately shows that while our place in the universe may be modest, our ability to explore and understand it is extraordinary, offering endless opportunities for discovery and insight.
The journey begins with Earth, reminding us that our planet is not stationary but constantly moving through space at immense speed. Earth behaves like a spacecraft, orbiting the sun while tilted at a precise angle that shapes seasons and determines how sunlight is distributed across its surface. This tilt explains why different regions experience varying lengths of day and night, even though the planet as a whole is always evenly split between light and darkness. This perspective challenges everyday assumptions and emphasizes that much of what people perceive is influenced by their position on Earth rather than universal conditions.
From Earth, attention shifts to the sun, the central engine of the solar system. Although it appears yellow to human eyes, it emits white light composed of all visible wavelengths. Its immense energy comes from nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process. This fusion not only powers the sun but also creates the elements that eventually form planets and life. The life cycle of the sun illustrates how stars evolve over billions of years, eventually expanding into red giants and ending as dense remnants. Larger stars follow more dramatic paths, exploding as supernovae and leaving behind neutron stars or black holes. These processes demonstrate that stars are both creators and destroyers, shaping the chemical makeup of the universe.
The exploration continues through the solar system, distinguishing between rocky inner planets and massive gas giants. These planetary families differ in composition, size, and structure, yet they share a common origin in the material left behind after the sun formed. The reclassification of Pluto reflects a deeper understanding of the solar system, recognizing that it belongs to a broader population of icy objects beyond Neptune known as the Kuiper Belt. This shift highlights how scientific knowledge evolves with new discoveries and improved observation techniques.
As the narrative moves beyond the solar system, it introduces the concept of light as a tool for understanding distance and time. Light travels at a finite speed, meaning that observing distant objects is equivalent to looking into the past. Even nearby stars are seen as they existed years ago, while distant galaxies reveal conditions from millions or billions of years in the past. Light also exists in many forms beyond what human eyes can detect, including infrared, ultraviolet, and X-rays, each carrying different amounts of energy. These variations allow scientists to study the universe in greater detail, uncovering phenomena that would otherwise remain hidden.
The book then expands into the structure of galaxies and the processes that create stars. Within the Milky Way, stars are not randomly distributed but organized into clusters and spiral arms. Nebulas act as stellar nurseries where gas and dust collapse under gravity to form new stars. At the same time, the observed motion of stars suggests the presence of unseen mass, leading to the concept of dark matter. Although it cannot be directly observed, dark matter appears to make up a significant portion of the universe’s mass, influencing the behavior of galaxies and cosmic structures.
At the centers of galaxies lie black holes, objects of extreme density where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. These entities define the dynamics of their surrounding regions and represent one of the most intriguing predictions of modern physics. Crossing the boundary of a black hole leads to irreversible consequences, as matter is stretched and compressed under intense gravitational forces. Despite their invisibility, black holes can be studied through their effects on nearby stars and gas, providing insight into the nature of space and time.
The discussion of the universe’s large-scale structure introduces the idea that space itself is expanding. Galaxies move away from each other not because they are traveling through space, but because the space between them is stretching. This expansion began with the big bang, a moment when the universe was extremely dense and hot. Models of the universe suggest different possible futures, including continued expansion or eventual collapse, depending on the balance of forces at play. These models rely on the understanding that the universe operates in four dimensions, combining three dimensions of space with one of time.
The book also explores the possibility of time travel, grounded in the principles of relativity. While traveling faster than light is considered impossible, theoretical constructs such as wormholes and cosmic strings offer potential shortcuts through spacetime. Wormholes could connect distant regions of the universe, allowing travel between them in less time than light would take through normal space. By manipulating these structures, it may even be possible to travel backward in time under certain conditions. Although these ideas remain speculative, they illustrate how modern physics pushes the boundaries of what is conceivable.
Finally, the book addresses one of humanity’s most profound questions: whether life exists beyond Earth. For life to develop, certain conditions must be met, including the presence of liquid water, suitable temperatures, and sufficient time for biological evolution. Scientists use frameworks like the Drake equation to estimate the number of potentially habitable planets and intelligent civilizations. While many such planets may exist, detecting intelligent life is far more challenging due to the vast distances involved and the limited time during which civilizations might be detectable. Despite the uncertainty, the search for extraterrestrial life continues, driven by curiosity and the possibility that humanity is not alone.
In conclusion, "Welcome to the Universe: An Astrophysical Tour" presents a sweeping exploration of the cosmos that reshapes our understanding of existence. It reveals a universe that is vast, dynamic, and filled with phenomena that challenge intuition, while also demonstrating that humans are a small part of a much larger system. By explaining the processes that govern stars, galaxies, and the fabric of space and time, the book encourages a sense of wonder and curiosity. It ultimately shows that while our place in the universe may be modest, our ability to explore and understand it is extraordinary, offering endless opportunities for discovery and insight.
Displaying 1 of 1 review