“[A] fascinating book. . . . Despite dealing with some cutting-edge science, this isn’t a technical book, focusing instead on the wonder and excitement of the subject. Cooper draws heavily on his own conversations with exoplanet scientists, discussing the techniques they use, the discoveries they’ve made and their plans for the future. Comparisons with fictional planets run like a thread through the book—and it’s fair to say they bear out the old saying that the truth is stranger than fiction.”

How It Works

"Cooper explores the connection between fictional depictions of extrasolar planets and the growing scientific investigation of their physical properties. While testing the plausibility of the most remarkable fictional worlds, the author manages to provide an in-depth introduction to key topics in exoplanet science and habitability—some of which would be quite challenging to explain to the general public without the narrative pull of fictional worlds. . . . I found myself eagerly reading through each chapter, smiling at the many familiar sci-fi references, admiring the depth of scientific explanations, and all in all amazed by how close imagination and reality are."

Nature Physics

“It becomes obvious early on that Cooper, who is a science journalist in his day job, knows his stuff on the fiction side as well as the current science. . . . It's a good exploration of the field, with neat SF references.”

Brian Clegg | PopularScience.co.uk

"Unpacking science fiction alongside real exoplanet discoveries, Cooper’s Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact is a captivating, cutting-edge view of worlds beyond our Solar System that explores the intersection of fiction and fact. An essential read for anyone fascinated by the cosmos."

Sara Seager, professor of planetary science, physics and aeronautical and astronautical engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of "The Smallest Lights in the Universe"