Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who is deeply in love with astronomy but has no academic experience in it, I love reading these types of books. I simply love when scientists are able to write books in a simple yet understandable language, meaning that someone like me are able to dive deeper in subjects that aren’t so easy to comprehend. When I saw this book also ties astronomy with art, I was instantly interested! I’m an artist, although I usually categorize myself as a graphic designer, so I was curious to see how Nia Imara would tie both subjects up. And let me tell you something, she did not disappoint.

First of all, I loved how the book was divided, making it easy and straightforward the way she approaches each astronomical study, be it: light, space, black holes, stars, time and so many others! I’ve read a lot of astronomy/science books, so I was familiar with some of the history and even subjects discussed here, but if you’re a first time reader, you won’t be let down. In fact, I believe this is a great introduction for those who want to dive deeper into astronomy, similar to the likes of books written by Carlo Rovelli, Katie Mack, Carl Sagan and Brian Cox. The fact that she also approaches sciences and ties it together with art, gives this book a new, fresh and interesting perspective. And I never thought it would work, but you know what? It does!

Like I said before, I’m an artist! And like Nia herself explains in the very first chapter of the book, it’s strange how today, both science and art are set apart in their own distinct categories. It wasn’t always this way, which was astounding to me, because you never think about it, right? They aren’t really the same, but in a way, they are? And thinking about it, reading the book, I really came to understand more why me, as an artist, feel so deeply about astronomy.

Are you a liberal arts major who loves science and astronomy?
This book is perfect for you.
It merges literature with cosmic facts, art with the heavens.

"Painting the Cosmos" explores the intersection between art and science, authored by astrophysicist and visual artist Nia Imara.

Nia has an Astrophysics PhD from UCB and teaches at UCSC.
She worked on SETI and is agnostic about the existence of ET.

I expected a coffee table book packed with images.
However, less than 20% of the book has an image on the page.

The book presents a comprehensive narrative of the universe's history, addressing profound questions about humanity's place and how art and science can enhance our understanding of reality.

Sometimes the connection between art and astronomy is abrupt and forced.
Imara talks about black holes over several pages then suddenly discusses Elizabeth Catlett's art about "negroes." (Imara is black.)
I fail to see the connection, but Imara argues that both black hole hunters and Catlett are observing "the invisible."

This illustrates the book's weakness.
The book feels like a haphazard collection of random ideas, loosely connected.
Of course, Nia sees the connection and hopes the reader does, too.
However, it's often an obscure connection.

Therefore, instead of what you hope to be a seamless integration of art and astronomy, you get two books mixed together.

Nia admits the two subjects are like oil and water.
She writes in the preface, "Art and science do not inevitably intersect. . . . They do not always come together naturally."
It shows.

I learned a few facts.
- Nearly 10 billion years ago, dark energy outwrestled gravity, which no longer dominates the universe.
- In the universe, 400 million stars are born daily.
- In the galaxy, about 2 solar masses are born yearly, but only 2.5 stars die per century.
- Andromeda has 400x more stars than the Milky Way.

Key Themes and Features:

- Art and Science Interconnection: Imara delves into how these two disciplines overlap, using them to illuminate our understanding of the cosmos and shape our perceptions.

- Rich Illustrations: The book is visually captivating, featuring full-color images of the universe alongside artwork from diverse creators, particularly highlighting contributions from women and Black artists.

- Exploration of Fundamental Questions: Imara poses pivotal inquiries regarding objectivity in understanding reality, the principles governing movement in space, and how light acts as a storyteller. She also discusses how scientists and artists help reveal the invisible aspects of the universe, such as black holes and marginalized experiences.

- Recent Developments in Astronomy: The narrative covers significant advancements in astronomy, from the Big Bang to the potential for extraterrestrial life, while reflecting on how we define intelligence.

Overall, "Painting the Cosmos" invites readers to view the universe through a new lens where art and science coexist harmoniously, offering a fresh perspective on our surroundings and ourselves. Nia does a decent job at combining the two.

VERDICT: 7 out of 10 stars.

Disclosure: the publisher sent me an ARC for review purposes.