I see the universe not as a collection of objects, theories, and phenomena, but as a vast theatrical stage with actors whose actions are guided by intricate twists of the plot and script. So, when I write about the universe, I feel it is natural to bring the reader inside the theater, backstage, to see up close how the sets have been designed, how the scripts have been written, and what the development of the story will be. My aim in every case is to convey a deep and meaningful understanding of how the universe works, a goal more challenging than simply transferring data and facts. Along this journey, there are times when the universe urges us to smile or frown, like the two masks-symbols of the theater itself. There are also times when it drives us to terror until madness. Therefore, I consider Death by Black Hole a gateway for the reader to everything that moves us, enlightens us, and terrifies us in the universe.

Each chapter first appeared, in one form or another, in the "Universe" column of the magazine Natural History between 1995 and 2005. Death by Black Hole is, in a way, a collection of the "best moments" of this column and includes some of the most successful texts, according to readers' judgment, that I have written, slightly modified to provide greater coherence among them and to reflect the most recent trends in science.

I offer this collection to readers hoping it will serve as a welcome diversion from their daily lives.

CONTENTS
Introduction ix
Acknowledgements xi
Preface xiii

Section 1 THE NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE
How difficult it is to know anything possible about the universe

1. The limits of our senses 3
2. As in heaven and on earth 9
3. Phenomena deceive 16
4. The information trap 26
5. Science with a stick in the mud 37

Section 2 KNOWLEDGE OF NATURE
How difficult it is to discover everything contained in the universe

6. Journey from the center of the Sun 47
7. Parade of planets 53
8. The nomads of the solar system 63
9. The five Lagrange points 73
10. Antimatter: Material for study 80

Section 3 THE WAYS AND MEANS OF NATURE
How nature presents itself before the curious mind

11. The importance of stability 87
12. Speed limits 95
13. Ballistic motion 102
14. About density 110
15. Beyond the rainbow 118
16. Windows on the universe 125
17. The colors of the universe 133
18. Cosmic plasma 140
19. Fire and ice 147

Section 4 THE MEANING OF LIFE
The difficulties and triumphs of the journey toward unraveling
the origin of life

20. The adventure of dust 157
21. Forged in the stars 164
22. Let the clouds come 170
23. Goldilocks and the three planets 178
24. Water, water 184
25. Sustainable space 192
26. Life in the universe 200
27. Our radio bubble 209

Section 5 WHEN THE UNIVERSE TURNS MALEVOLENT
All the ways the universe threatens our existence

28. Chaos in the solar system 219
29. Fatal attraction 224
30. The end of the world, in episodes 233
31. Galactic engines 238
32. Deadly assault 245
33. Death by black hole 252

Section 6 SCIENCE AND CULTURE
The turbulent interface between cosmic discovery
and the public reaction to it

34. Words of people 261
35. The fear of numbers 268
36. About embarrassment 273
37. Traces in the sand of science 279
38. Let there be darkness 289
39. Hollywood nights 296

Section 7 SCIENCE AND GOD
When the ways of knowing collide

40. In the beginning 307
41. Holy wars 316
42. The perimeter of ignorance 323

Bibliography 333
Index 339