Our Cosmic Habitat by Martin Rees, Princeton University Press, $22.50,
ISBN 0691089264
The theme that ties Our Cosmic Habitat together is the simple question: why
are we here? In what is probably the clearest and most easily understandable
account of our Universe available, Martin Rees, leading cosmologist and
Astronomer Royal, doubts if this could just be the result of mere chance or
preordained design. The Universe has just the right properties to allow
intelligent life to arise. If, for example, the ratio of the strengths of the
electrical and nuclear forces was not close to what we see, the elements that
formed our planetary system and ourselves could not have formed. But, as Rees
points out, there is nothing in the laws of physics that requires this to be
so.
In guiding us along to his fascinating solution to this enigma, he covers
many of the most interesting topics in astronomy, such as the successful search
for other planets and how 鈥渕issing mass鈥� and 鈥渧acuum energy鈥� will affect the
future history of the Universe. But Rees is commendably modest enough to point
out to us that there is still much that cosmologists do not know.
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Rees argues strongly that ours is just one of a myriad of universes鈥攁
multiverse鈥攚hose properties can vary widely. Our local bylaws just happen
to be right for our existence. We should be grateful that not only has a
Universe arisen that allows life, but that a scientist of the calibre of Rees is
willing to explain it to us.