Kelsey Johnson at the Harvard Science Center

About Into the Unknown

A leading astronomer and gifted teacher takes readers on a wondrous tour—”perfect for anyone who enjoyed Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” (Publishers Weekly)—of how science confronts the big questions about the origins, destiny, and fundamental nature of our universe
 
Humans have learned a lot about the world around us and the universe beyond. We have made powerful insights and created profound theories about the universe and everything in it. Surely the ultimate theory must be waiting, just beyond our current knowledge.
 
Well, maybe. In Into the Unknown, astrophysicist Kelsey Johnson takes us to the edge of scientific understanding about the universe: What caused the Big Bang? What happens inside black holes? Are there other dimensions? She doesn’t just celebrate what we know but rather what we don’t, and asks what it means if we never find that knowledge. Exploring the convergence of science, philosophy, and theology, Johnson argues we must reckon with possibilities—including those that may be beyond human comprehension. The very places where we run smack into total ignorance are the places where the most important questions—about the philosophy of knowledge, the nature of our cosmos, and even the existence of God—await.
 
As accessible as it is profound, Into the Unknown invites each of us to join in the great quest for knowledge.

Praise for Into the Unknown

“In ambition, scope, and tone, this book is exquisite.” —Forbes.com

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2024:
“Colliding universes, interdimensional particles, and the nature of time are among the mind-boggling mysteries contemplated in Johnson’s mesmerizing debut. Asking what caused the big bang and what determines the laws of nature, among other enigmas, Johnson introduces readers to heady cosmic questions they didn’t know to ask, proving the universe is far stranger than they imagined.”—Publishers Weekly

“Sweeping and highly accessible… this book fundamentally reorients our perspective on our place in the world as well as the possibilities of discovery that lie ahead.” —Nature Astronomy

“A delightful conversation with a brilliant explorer of the magic of our universe—how we found out, how she found out, what it means for us all, and above all, what we really don’t know or can’t possibly know, except maybe sometimes. Physics, astronomy, metaphysics, origin of life, extraterrestrials, all with wicked humor. You won’t forget this one!”—John Mather, Nobel laureate

Bios 

Kelsey Johnson is Professor of Astronomy, affiliated faculty in Religious Studies, and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education at the University of Virginia, where she studies galaxy evolution, star formation, and the intersection of science and religion. A passionate advocate for science education, she has received multiple awards for her research, teaching, and outreach. In addition to her research and writing, Johnson is a past president of both the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

Avi Loeb is Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University and a theoretical physicist specializing in astrophysics and cosmology. His research spans black holes, the formation of the first stars, and the search for extraterrestrial life. He has published extensively on the frontiers of astrophysics and is known for exploring unconventional ideas about interstellar objects and the nature of the universe. Loeb has served as chair of Harvard’s Department of Astronomy and was the founding director of Harvard’s Black Hole Initiative, the first interdisciplinary center dedicated to the study of black holes. He also leads the Harvard Institute for Theory and Computation and has served on advisory committees for NASA and the National Academies. His work engages both the scientific community and the public in questions about the unknown and the future of space exploration.

Peter Galison is the Joseph Pellegrino University Professor at Harvard University and Director of Harvard’s Black Hole Initiative. His work explores the intersection of science, philosophy, and visual culture, spanning topics from the history of particle physics to the role of technology in shaping how we understand time, space, and prediction. A recipient of numerous awards, Galison is known for his interdisciplinary approach, blending historical analysis with filmmaking and visual studies. He has held fellowships at institutions including the MacArthur Foundation and the Institute for Advanced Study, and his work continues to bridge the sciences and humanities in innovative ways.

Alyssa Goodman is Robert Wheeler Willson Professor of Applied Astronomy at Harvard University. Her work explores the structure of the Milky Way, star formation, data visualization, and how scientists make predictions. She co-founded The Prediction Project, an interdisciplinary initiative examining forecasting across science, history, and everyday life.  Goodman has received a variety of awards and Fellowships for her research in science, as well as for her work in communicating science to the public.  She has served on government and society  committees across the sciences, including on the National Academies’ inaugural Board on Research Data and Information. At Harvard, Goodman has served as Founding Director of the Harvard Initiative in Innovative Computing (IIC) and as a co director for Science at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute.