After the Big Bang

In recent decades, astrophysical research has progressed sufficiently on a number of fronts that fascinating connections have been defined or suggested between astronomy and other fields such as chemistry, biology, and earth science. As a result of this cross-fertilization, a number of books have appeared by Carl Sagan, Fred Hoyle, Robert Jastrow and others, which document current scientific understanding and synthesize some of the interdisciplinary ramifications for the layman.

Until the Sun Dies focuses on the origin of man, beginning with cosmological evidence on the origin of the universe and continuing through the story of biological evolution on earth and the prospects for life beyond earth. It is most readable and as current as one could hope for in such a rapidly changing field as astronomy. For example, the results of the biology experiments on board both Viking landers are discussed.

I am not competent to judge the quality of the biological or archaeological discussions, which occupy a substantial portion of the book, but I did become uncomfortable with a few of the astronomical discussions, which seemed either incomplete or worded in such a way as to cause confusion. To cite one example: In an attempt to show "a surprising correspondence between Western science and Western religious thought," the author discusses the Big Bang, the event which began our presently expanding universe. This event, he states, represents a point in time at which "the chain of cause and effect terminated abruptly"; therefore, what, if anything, came before, or what led up to the Big Bang are things that the scientist "can never hope to explain." Actually, serious attempts at explanations and even possible methods of learning something about what came before the Big Bang have been put forward, including one discussion for the layman in Fred Hoyle's Ten Faces of theUniverse. Jastrow may, of course, be completely correct; we may indeed never succeed in formulating such explanations. But his argument carries a tone of certainty that may not be justified. Certainly, "the chain of cause and effect" may continue to operate even if we are denied access to the information necessary for complete analysis of the situation. The religious implications of this situation, especially with its present degree of scientific uncertainty, are matters which I am not competent to discuss.

Readers interested in, but unacquainted with, the results of contemporary astronomy will certainly enjoy reading Until the Sun Dies. Others, like myself, who so enjoyed Jastrow's well-written and popular Red Giants and WhiteDwarfs may feel that this sequel is not as good.

UNTIL THE SUN DIESBy Professor Robert JastrowNorton, 1977. 173 pp. $8.95

Associate Professor of physics and astronomy,Delo Mook is a specialist in celestial x-raysources and coordinator of Dartmouth's off-campusprogram at Kitt Peak, Arizona.