The Universe in a Box

Praise for The Universe in a Box:  “Elegantly written… . exhilarating, candid” —Wall Street Journal“A compelling exploration of scientific discovery, historical context, and the philosophical questions prompted by the creation of virtual universes. It is a brisk read, a heartfelt recounting of our ongoing efforts to uncover the Universe’s secrets, and a veritable treasure chest filled with captivating stories.” —Science“This book is a testament to the amazing potential of simulations to reveal new truths about the world around us and our place within it. An enthralling analysis of simulation, a formidable technology that may usher in a new era of cosmology.” —Kirkus“Pontzen excels at translating quantum physics and other difficult concepts into lay-friendly terms… . this look at the cutting edge of astronomy fascinates.” —Publishers Weekly“A truly excellent exposition of a fascinating, little understood, and very important scientific activity. I was enlightened, amazed, and profoundly impressed. I’ve seldom seen a book so clear, so vivid, and so full of—well, interesting things.” —Philip Pullman, author of the trilogy His Dark Materials “Just when the universe thought it was too big and old for us to comprehend, scientists like Andrew Pontzen began capturing it in their computers, and the story of their work is exhilarating.” —Matt Parker, author of Humble Pi   “Andrew Pontzen gives a vivid perspective on what it’s like to be a scientist trying to ‘model’ the universe—and doesn’t shy away from highlighting the mysteries that are coming into focus. This fascinating book, written with clarity and zest, deserves wide readership.” —Martin Rees, Great Britain’s Astronomer Royal   “An electrifying new history of the universe and how it all fits together, and of the human effort to unlock its mysteries.” —Hannah Fry, Professor in the Mathematics of Cities at the UCL Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis and author of Hello World   “Our reality is most likely not a simulation, but it is stunning just how powerful modern simulations have become in describing it. Forget telescopes and microscopes, Pontzen’s laboratory sits inside his computer and it is quickly becoming the most important tool in science.” —Jim Al-Khalili, Distinguished Chair, Professor of Physics, University of Surrey and author of The World According to Physics

Andrew Pontzen is a professor of cosmology at University College London. He has written for New Scientist, BBC Sky at Night, and BBC Focus; lectured at the Royal Institution; and been featured as an expert on PBS’s NOVA, the Discovery Channel’s How the Universe Works, and other shows. Simulations are a major part of his research which spans cosmology, physics and computation. He lives in London.