How to Design a Universe by Catherine Heymans published today by Bloomsbury

Congratulations to Catherine Heymans as How to Design a Universe: The Science of Real and Virtual Worlds is published today by Bloomsbury. 

Could we be living in a computer simulation? How would we even know?

In How to Design a Universe, acclaimed astrophysicist Catherine Heymans takes you on a humorous and mind-bending journey through the science of reality itself. From the quantum quirks of subatomic particles to the cosmic mysteries of dark matter and the secrets of the human senses, Heymans explores whether humanity could ever create a virtual universe as rich and diverse as our own – and what that means for our sense of self, free will and consciousness.

Blending personal stories, pop culture, cutting-edge technology and ground-breaking experiments, this book makes the biggest questions in science accessible and urgent. How to Design a Universe will change the way you see the world – and your place in it.

‘Truly unique. Sparkling with charm and interest, and uncompromisingly clear’ ― Chris Lintott, presenter of The Sky at Night

‘A remarkable book. Catherine Heymans, a distinguished astronomer, writes with a light touch that eloquently conveys her enthusiasm for scientific wonders and mysteries. Informative, fascinating and entertaining.’ ― Martin Rees, author of Just Six Numbers: The Deep Forces That Shape the Universe

‘An absolute delight. How to Design a Universe somehow makes the vastness of the Universe feel intimate. The personal anecdotes and pop culture references make you forget you’re learning and leave you with the pure joy of science. This is how I wish I’d learned about astrophysics.’ ― Becky Smethurst (Dr Becky), author of A Brief History of Black Holes: and why nearly everything you know about them is wrong

‘There’s a lot going on in a universe! For any would-be designers out there, this is absolutely the book you want to read. Like any good instruction manual, it doesn’t just give a list of ingredients like quarks and black holes. It explains the logic behind the design, why things work the way they do. The implications will make you think about reality in new ways.’ ― Sean Carroll, author of The Biggest Ideas in the Universe series

How to Design a Universe is out now.