Science Vs
Science Vs, Wendy Zukerman, Gimlet, 2016–present
In this lively 30-minute podcast, host Wendy Zukerman explores the science on controversial topics from health fads to political issues. Recent shows investigated the scientific evidence around cannabis oil as a pain reliever, the use of emotional-support animals, and the neurological risks of playing American football. Episodes often incorporate historical arcs to put their science in context. For instance, a recent episode titled “Race: Can We See It in Our DNA?” tackled the ugly history of scientists’ support for eugenics. New episodes are released Thursdays. —mb
Heaven on Earth: How Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, and Galileo Discovered the Modern World
Heaven on Earth: How Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, and Galileo Discovered the Modern World, L. S. Fauber, Pegasus Books, 2019, $29.95
The publication of Nicolaus Copernicus’s heliocentric model of the solar system in 1543 kicked off a revolution in humans’ understanding of the cosmos. In Heaven on Earth, computer scientist L. S. Fauber weaves together biographies of Copernicus and three of his successors—Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, and Galileo Galilei—who strove to collaborate across great geographical distances to improve the Copernican system. Fauber’s vivid narrative provides insight into his subjects’ personal lives and their scientific work and highlights the obstacles posed by the social, political, and religious attitudes of the era. —cc
Einstein’s Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holes
Einstein’s Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holes, Chris Impey, W. W. Norton, 2019, $16.95 (paper)
“Black holes are the best known and least understood objects in the universe,” according to astronomer Chris Impey. He attempts to rectify that deficiency with his new book, Einstein’s Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holes, in which he combines a history of their discovery with a presentation of current knowledge regarding their birth and effects on the universe. Along the way, he discusses the many astronomers and physicists whose work contributed to our present understanding. The book’s title, Impey says, was inspired by the work of Albert Einstein, whose theory of gravity jump-started the search for these invisible yet powerful phenomena that lie at the heart of all galaxies. —cc
