The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking).

Mack, Katie. The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking). 2020. 240p. ISBN 9781982103545. Available at 523.1 MAC on the library shelves.

The Big Bang is the famous beginning of the Universe, and the science of physics has been attempting to explain what happened for decades. As interesting as the beginning is, however, it pales in comparison to how the universe will end. In this cleverly written book, Dr. Mack describes the five possible deaths of the universe. 

In the Big Crunch scenario, the billions of galaxy that have been expanding away from each other reverse course and head toward each other, causing massive star collapse and destruction, the merging of galaxies, and possibly leading to another Big Bang as the universe once again reaches unimaginable pressure and gravity.

In the Heat Death scenario, the universe continues to expand, and galaxies soon find themselves the only thing floating in their range of vision, and themselves stretching out until all that remain are dead stars. Under this scenario, the universe literally dies and becomes absolutely cold. 

In the Big Rip scenario, the universe unravels like a tapestry or water evaporating in a boiling pot. Galaxies simply disappear away from our vision field, drifting further away and being torn apart as atomic bonds break down, releasing components into the void of space.

In the Bounce scenario, our universe is connected to other universes on other planes, and they periodically collide, creating a collapse and a new big bang. Of all the scenarios, this one involves strange physics and remains to be proven as a possibility.

Finally, in the Vacuum Decay scenario, the universe is torn apart similar to water draining out of a bath tub. The matter and energy that populate the universe drains away, filling the vacuum and bringing it to equilibrium, but in the process destroying everything that existed prior to the vacuum. Of all of the scenarios presented, this one is the most unlikely to happen, but, also unlike the other ones, it could happen at any time.

Fans of science will appreciate the humor and attention to details in this book. And not to worry, it is not filled with equations that will hurt your head, but rather vivid description and an engaging discussion of how the universe will eventually end. For a companion read, take a look at Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.