How did we find out about black holes?

How Did We Find Out #13

by Isaac Asimov

Discusses why scientists believe in the existence of black holes, what they are, how they are formed, and how they are detected.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

64 pages, Unbound

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Works of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles, The Foundation Trilogy (1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.

Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.

Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).

People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.

Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.

Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book by Isaac Asimov is a remarkably lucid explanation of the formation of such topics as white dwarves, pulsars, red giants, novas, and black holes. It is illustrated with line drawings, gives pronunciation guides, and has an index. It is aimed at a younger audience (I would estimate 9+) but an adult could get a good bit from it. The text begins Friedrich Bessel and ends with ideas from Stephen Hawking. Altogether this little dip into cosmology is educational and enjoyable.

[Violet Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good- lowkey some of the science seems exaggerated lol. They state the Big Bang happening 15 billions years ago as a fact instead of a theory or hypothesis. If matter being being sucked into excessive mass and collapsing in on itself created the Big Bang, who created the matter in the first place that got sucked in?? LOL.

However, the explanation of mass, neutrons, protons, and how collapsing stars passed the stage of a neutron star become a black hole was very clear.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to pick this up after finishing the Neil DeGrasse Tyson book “To Infinity and Beyond” and giving it low marks. I stated that Asimov could explain things better and that to this day no one has surpassed him in explaining science to the public. I had been meaning to read this so it seemed a good time to pick it up.

Of course, it is out of date! Asimov was pretty clearly expecting more discoveries and said in the last paragraph “Astronomers may soon learn much more about black holes…” However, unlike the other book, I learned a lot in this title meant for children. Concepts made more sense and I found it more coherent and interesting. While I don’t know that librarians should still have this, it is fine for my private library. I’m certain there must be newer books and if I hand this to the grands, I’ll tell them it is old and if they want to know more, they must look for newer books. But no one has surpassed Asimov’s ability to explain difficult concepts to people who are not scientists! Recommended with caveats.

[Dave Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought as part of an Asimov collection, this little guide takes us thru the then current thinking on black holes … having been working for a news channel when they broadcasted the first pictures of a black hole from NASA’s event horizon telescope in September ‘23, its remarkable to see how many theories postulated in this book have been confirmed in the 40+ years since it was published… the book also covers some history of astronomy along with brief looks at other astronomical phenomena such as white dwarf stars and pulsars …

[Christoph Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly informative for being so old and written for children. Asimov has a very clear and straightforward way of explaining things. I thought I knew a bit about this subject but I learned a few new things and the things I already knew were explained much more clearly. Asimov was the man.

On another note, this is a scholastic book. Having seen many scholastic books from my 4 kids over the years, it was interesting to see one from 1978. All I have to say is that it is sad how dumbed down current popular science books have become.

[Ben G · Rating 5 out of 5]

So as 2020 fast expires, I wanted a quick read to cross the line on my reading challenge for the year.

Fortunately I picked this book, a previous read from some years ago now. A remarkablely engaging read that doesn't shy away from explaining the behaviour and characteristics of dying stars in very straightforward and simple English (ideal for me). To be recommended!

[Michael Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best intros to cosmology and sub-atomic physics. Suitable for anyone 8+.

[Stuart Briely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, Isaac Asimov explains the science of black holes very well.

[Eliza Fitzgerald]

I really liked this. It was short and easy to understand. I'm going to look for some more from this series.