Weird Universe: Everything We Don’t Know About Space (and Why It’s Important)

by Erika Hamden

Discover the Mysteries of Our Universe

Weird Universe is your gateway to the wonders of spaces. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and marveled at the mysteries hidden beyond the stars? This book takes that curiosity and turns it into an accessible, fun introduction to space, packed with all the weirdness we've discovered out there.

Unlock the wonders of space with a fresh and exciting perspective. Erika Hamden, a renowned astrophysicist and educator, brings her passion for space to life in this engaging book. With years of experience studying the cosmos, Hamden specializes in making complex topics fun and easy to understand. Her expertise shines through as she leads readers on an exploration of the strangest and most awe-inspiring phenomena in space. Whether you're fascinated by the biggest black holes, curious about the history of NASA, or simply want to explore the strange and magnificent things we've found in outer space, this book is for you. No prior knowledge required—just a desire to understand more about the cosmos and its connection to life here on Earth..

See how space exploration shapes our everyday world. Space isn’t just an abstract concept—it plays a crucial role in shaping the technology we use every day. From NASA’s breakthroughs to innovations inspired by our exploration of the cosmos, Hamden shows how space discoveries influence our world. You’ll also gain insight into the process behind these findings, from the questions scientists ask to the groundbreaking answers they uncover. By the end of the book, you’ll understand not just what we know about the universe, but how we’ve come to know it.

191 pages, Paperback

Published May 27, 2025

Reviews

[Hank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great science explainer focusing on stars, planets their creation and behaviors and what is interesting about all of them. Touching on a bit of dark matter and energy, I liked the questions we haven't answered that Hamden included at the end.

I had read about astrophysics standard candles before but I particularly like how Hamden set out the releationship between the Chandrasekhar limit and white dwarfs going supernova with a standard luminosity.

[capella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 9.5/10

I should start by saying I'm, perhaps, as insatiable as a black hole so that minus half point is related to the length of the book and its chapters. Tell me everything!!! Also, I would've loved more footnotes to show the history and wider explanations for some concepts (this is offset by Dr. Hamden's ability to crunch complex definitions into understandable bits/parentheses). Prepare to sit with a glass of water because your mind will be running. The amount of information Dr. Hamden covers in such little volume is impressive. Truly an astronomical soundbite sharp and succinct enough to satiate AND induce hunger for more. Good, good!

I particularly loved the chapter "We Used to Think This Was All There Was" because of the style it's written in (more history, reminiscent of the way Sagan laid out his stories in Cosmos). That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole book. The narrator's voice is delightfully dynamic; definitely as funny as the reviews indicate but also full of respect, passion, and awe for her craft and the universe itself. As I said, it leaves me with ignited curiosity and a need to read more. I can't go without expressing my most profound gratitude to Dr. Hamden and every scientist out there who take time to make science accessible for as many as possible. We will all keep looking up at the night sky for as long as we're able! Cheers.

P.D.: I could definitely hear Dr. Hamden's voice as I read, remembering her science communication videos :)

P.D.(2): Carl Sagan's spirit lives with us all and this book is proof!

[WiseB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compelling exploration of modern astrophysics that systematically dismantles humanity's Earth-centered assumptions about the cosmos. The book's central thesis is that the universe consistently defies our intuitions, revealing itself to be far stranger, larger, and more wonderful than we could have imagined. The author's scientific revelations provided perspectives in ...

(a) Historical Pattern - Each generation has assumed they understood the full scope of reality, only to discover they were seeing a tiny fraction of something far grander. From Earth-centered models to the discovery of galaxies beyond our own, every major astronomical breakthrough has revealed our cosmic insignificance while expanding our sense of wonder.

(b) Current Understanding - We live in the universe's brief golden age—it is currently as bright as it will ever be. Within 100 trillion years, all stars will die, leaving only black holes and stellar remnants in an increasingly cold and empty cosmos.

(c) Philosophical Implications - Hamden argues that astronomical inquiry is fundamentally human—we evolved under starlight and are driven by curiosity to understand our cosmic origins. Through our observations, we become "the universe observing itself," making astronomy not merely academic but essential to human nature.

(d) Future Outlook - Major questions remain unanswered (the nature of gravity, dark matter, consciousness, extraterrestrial life), suggesting that future discoveries will continue to reveal the universe as even stranger than we currently imagine.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This chatty, readable introduction to the solar system, the galaxies, and the universe is full of fun with a side order of cultural references. The twin stars that Luke Skywalker watches setting over his desert planet of Tatooine and the massive black hole, Gargantua, in Interstellar both get nods.

The author has a breezy way of describing common and uncommon aspects of space. Black holes aren't vacuum cleaners. A star is the universe's response to gravity and the fundamental unit of the universe. Ancient galaxies are the brightest objects in existence. And the best way to describe the semi-stable configurations of neutrons just under the surface of a neutron star is, of course, "nuclear spaghetti."

Hamden (disclosure: a friend and sometime trivia teammate) is well-qualified for all this. She is professor of astrophysics at the U of Arizona and does a lot of other smart stuff for NASA.

As simple as she makes everything, I still get lost at times in subnuclear physics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics. But what we learn is worth the ride. Fun facts abound, and mysteries we still don't understand are peppered throughout: What is gravity? Why is the universe expanding at an accelerating rate? (Hint: To answer "dark matter" and "dark energy" is just another way of saying we don't know.) Why is the universe's speed limit the speed of light?

Space: worth exploring; worth learning about; worth the time to unravel the weirdness.

[Jeff Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

An algorithm put Dr. Hamden's reels on space, and astronomy, and thinking critically in front of my eyeballs. The book is as entertaining and informative as the reels. While Dr. Hamden is able to make astronomy and physics and complex concepts readable and accessible to those of us without advanced degrees in the subjects, the sheer complexity of some of the topics left me feeling confused and overwhelmed by the topics. No fault to Dr. Hamden, it just made me realize how extremely bad at math I am. Definitely would recommend to anyone interested in space, the stars and planets, the universe, and a lot of stuff in between. It is a great toe dip into the subject matter (both dark and light).

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m the type of geek who would read a book called “Weird Universe” but that still has trouble understanding String Theory or Quasars, so this book was simply FANTASTIC although way too short. I hope to read way more from Dr Hamden very very soon

[Craig Pfeifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

current astronomy that is actually accessible! a great read at just the right level of technicality to be informative.