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Professor Catherine Heymans, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, has released a new book titled How to Design a Universe: The Science of Real and Virtual Worlds. The book, which explores complex astrophysical concepts, was inspired by a question from her son regarding whether humanity could be living in a computer simulation.
Professor Heymans, who serves as a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh and is based at the Royal Observatory, aims to make physics accessible to the general public without oversimplifying the subject matter. She emphasizes that there is no such thing as a stupid question and frequently engages with the public, particularly children, through her Ask The Astronomer Royal Anything initiative.
In her professional capacity, Heymans is currently involved in work with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, which utilizes a large-scale telescope and camera to map the sky. Her research focuses on understanding the evolution of the universe, galaxies, and dark matter over the past 12 billion years. She also advocates for the importance of scientific funding, noting that investments in astronomical facilities often yield significant economic returns through technological innovation.
Addressing the scientific community’s approach to discovery, Heymans noted that failure is an inherent and encouraged part of the process. She stated that science is not about establishing absolute truths, but rather about maintaining curiosity and continuing to investigate the unknown.
Beyond her academic and advisory roles, Heymans has engaged in science communication through television appearances and stand-up comedy performances aimed at making science more approachable. She is also a patron of several science centers, including the Aberdeen Science Centre and the Scottish Sky Observatory.
How to Design a Universe: The Science of Real and Virtual Worlds is published by Bloomsbury Sigma.
Article source: www.scotsman.com | Image credit: www.scotsman.com
