Keith Cooper
@keithpcooper.bsky.social
Science journalist; author of Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact (Reaktion Books, 2025) and The Contact Paradox (Bloomsbury Sigma, 2019).
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Keith Cooper
@keithpcooper.bsky.social
· Jun 23
My new book, Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact, is out now from Reaktion Books! It's all about the exoplanets that astronomers are discovering, seen through the lens of science fiction, featuring interviews with astronomers and sf authors reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/amazing...
New, by me: researchers in China have found that some caves on Mars could have been formed by water and be the perfect location, shielded from the radiation- and dust-shrouded surface, to hunt for ancient biosignatures: www.space.com/astronomy/ma...
Evidence of ancient life on Mars could be hidden away in colossal water-carved caves
Skylights, openings in the surface of Mars that descend down into caves, have been found on Mars, along with signatures for the presence of water ice.
www.space.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:18 AM
New, by me: researchers in China have found that some caves on Mars could have been formed by water and be the perfect location, shielded from the radiation- and dust-shrouded surface, to hunt for ancient biosignatures: www.space.com/astronomy/ma...
I delve into the world of quantum physics, and write about a new paper that proposes how matter can become quantum entangled via classical gravitational fields, even if quantum gravity doesn't exist: www.space.com/astronomy/do...
Does quantum gravity exist? A new experiment has deepened the mystery
Does quantum gravity exist? A new experiment has deepened the mystery
www.space.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:40 AM
I delve into the world of quantum physics, and write about a new paper that proposes how matter can become quantum entangled via classical gravitational fields, even if quantum gravity doesn't exist: www.space.com/astronomy/do...
I'm absolutely honoured to see Amazing Worlds reviewed in Locus!
"Examining how the cutting-edge science of exoplanets has enriched or superseded science fiction’s most beloved planetary conventions ... his twin passions for the cosmos of what is and of what might be kept me enthralled throughout."
"Examining how the cutting-edge science of exoplanets has enriched or superseded science fiction’s most beloved planetary conventions ... his twin passions for the cosmos of what is and of what might be kept me enthralled throughout."
Alvaro Zinos-Amaro reviews AMAZING WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION AND SCIENCE FACT by @keithpcooper.bsky.social: “Both field guide and literary concordance, it bridges star maps with story arcs.”
Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact by Keith Cooper: Review by Alvaro Zinos-Amaro
Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact, Keith Cooper (Reaktion 978-1789149944, $22.50, 224pp, hc) May 2025. In Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact, space journalist Keith…
locusmag.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:01 AM
I'm absolutely honoured to see Amazing Worlds reviewed in Locus!
"Examining how the cutting-edge science of exoplanets has enriched or superseded science fiction’s most beloved planetary conventions ... his twin passions for the cosmos of what is and of what might be kept me enthralled throughout."
"Examining how the cutting-edge science of exoplanets has enriched or superseded science fiction’s most beloved planetary conventions ... his twin passions for the cosmos of what is and of what might be kept me enthralled throughout."
New, by me: complex organic molecules, which are among the most basic building blocks of life, have been found as ice encrusting dust around a protostar in the Large Magellanic Cloud, evidence that the chemistry for life is present at the earliest stages of star-birth: www.space.com/astronomy/ja...
JWST makes 1st-ever detection of complex organic molecules around star in galaxy beyond our Milky Way
JWST makes 1st-ever detection of complex organic molecules around star in galaxy beyond our Milky Way
www.space.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:18 PM
New, by me: complex organic molecules, which are among the most basic building blocks of life, have been found as ice encrusting dust around a protostar in the Large Magellanic Cloud, evidence that the chemistry for life is present at the earliest stages of star-birth: www.space.com/astronomy/ja...
Worried about 3I/ATLAS? Don't be – it is just a comet, and like cats, comets have tails and do as they please. Here's my guide to 3I/ATLAS (written before perihelion) and how to debunk some of the more extravagant claims about this cosmic cat on the loose: supercluster.com/editorial/do...
Don’t Panic! 3I/ATLAS is Just a Comet
Starting in July 2025, scientists have had the opportunity to study just the third documented interstellar object to enter the Solar System.
supercluster.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Worried about 3I/ATLAS? Don't be – it is just a comet, and like cats, comets have tails and do as they please. Here's my guide to 3I/ATLAS (written before perihelion) and how to debunk some of the more extravagant claims about this cosmic cat on the loose: supercluster.com/editorial/do...
What will we lose when the ISS is de-orbited in 2030? The way that science was done on the station, through process, cooperation and peer-review, might not be replicated when commercial stations are launched to fill the void left by the ISS. My latest: www.space.com/space-explor...
The International Space Station will fall to Earth in 2030. Can a private space station really fill its gap?
"He looked me straight in the eye and said, 'the space station is the experiment.'"
www.space.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
What will we lose when the ISS is de-orbited in 2030? The way that science was done on the station, through process, cooperation and peer-review, might not be replicated when commercial stations are launched to fill the void left by the ISS. My latest: www.space.com/space-explor...
How compact can neutron stars, which are the ultra-dense relics of stars that have gone supernova, get? I look at a new paper that uncovers a mathematical relation governing neutron star compactness, even if we don't understand the physics going on inside neutron stars www.space.com/astronomy/st...
How compact can a neutron star get before collapsing into a black hole?
A spoonful of this star's matter can weigh a billion tons.
www.space.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
How compact can neutron stars, which are the ultra-dense relics of stars that have gone supernova, get? I look at a new paper that uncovers a mathematical relation governing neutron star compactness, even if we don't understand the physics going on inside neutron stars www.space.com/astronomy/st...
By me: Europa Clipper could be about to intercept ions stripped by the solar wind from the ion tail of comet 3I/ATLAS – but will scientists even be able to make the measurements? If they can, it will be the first ever detection of particles from an interstellar comet. www.space.com/astronomy/co...
Comet 3I/ATLAS could soon shower NASA's Jupiter probe in charged particles.
"We study cometary bodies because they act as time capsules, sealing in material from their formation billions of years ago."
www.space.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM
By me: Europa Clipper could be about to intercept ions stripped by the solar wind from the ion tail of comet 3I/ATLAS – but will scientists even be able to make the measurements? If they can, it will be the first ever detection of particles from an interstellar comet. www.space.com/astronomy/co...
The 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first exoplanet to be found around a Sun-like star was earlier this month. I spoke to the astronomer who made that historic first discovery, Didier Queloz, plus Caltech's Aurora Kesseli, in my new article for Supercluster supercluster.com/editorial/30...
30 Years of Exoplanets: An Astonishing Catalogue of Cosmic Wonder
Astronomers working at NASA’s Exoplanet Archive at Caltech recently announced that the number of known planets around stars other than our Sun had passed the 6,000 mark. It’s been a truly staggering r...
supercluster.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:09 AM
The 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first exoplanet to be found around a Sun-like star was earlier this month. I spoke to the astronomer who made that historic first discovery, Didier Queloz, plus Caltech's Aurora Kesseli, in my new article for Supercluster supercluster.com/editorial/30...
Back in the 1970s, Princeton physicist Gerard K O'Neill proposed that by now millions of us would be living in huge cities in space. So what happened? For my latest article I take a look at O'Neill's dreams of a 'High Frontier', with a nod, as always, to Babylon 5. www.space.com/astronomy/ea...
How one scientist's wide-eyed dream of giant space cities was crushed by reality
They might've looked something like the space station in the film "2001: A Space Odyssey."
www.space.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Back in the 1970s, Princeton physicist Gerard K O'Neill proposed that by now millions of us would be living in huge cities in space. So what happened? For my latest article I take a look at O'Neill's dreams of a 'High Frontier', with a nod, as always, to Babylon 5. www.space.com/astronomy/ea...
In this week celebrating the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first exoplanet around a Sun-like star, I take a look at what the future holds and how we can expect, at the very least, to double the current count of over 6,000 words by the end of this decade www.space.com/astronomy/ex...
6,000 and counting: The next 30 years in the search for exoplanets
After marking the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first exoplanet around a sun-like star, we now look forward to what the next 30 years might offer.
www.space.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:11 PM
In this week celebrating the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first exoplanet around a Sun-like star, I take a look at what the future holds and how we can expect, at the very least, to double the current count of over 6,000 words by the end of this decade www.space.com/astronomy/ex...
Meanwhile, on my Substack page, I've selected some of my favourite exoplanets – check them out here! storiesfromthecosmicfrontier.substack.com/p/exoplanets...
Exoplanets at 30: Favourite Worlds
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the discovery of exoplanets around Sun-like stars, and with over 6,000 exoplanets now discovered, I choose some of my favourite aliens worlds.
storiesfromthecosmicfrontier.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Meanwhile, on my Substack page, I've selected some of my favourite exoplanets – check them out here! storiesfromthecosmicfrontier.substack.com/p/exoplanets...
As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations I've written about how the discovery of 51 Peg b transformed astronomy, with contributions from Amanda Hendrix (Director of the Planetary Science Institute) and Don Pollacco who is leading the forthcoming PLATO mission. www.space.com/astronomy/ex...
Exoplanet revolution at 30: 1st alien world found 3 decades ago
"It was just a matter of time before we found them."
www.space.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:27 AM
As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations I've written about how the discovery of 51 Peg b transformed astronomy, with contributions from Amanda Hendrix (Director of the Planetary Science Institute) and Don Pollacco who is leading the forthcoming PLATO mission. www.space.com/astronomy/ex...
Happy exoplanet day! Today is the 30th anniversary of the reveal of the first known exoplanet around a Sun-like star. Discovered in 1995 and published in Nature on 6 October that year, 51 Pegasi b is what we now call a hot jupiter, but back then scientists were bewildered by this new type of planet!
October 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Happy exoplanet day! Today is the 30th anniversary of the reveal of the first known exoplanet around a Sun-like star. Discovered in 1995 and published in Nature on 6 October that year, 51 Pegasi b is what we now call a hot jupiter, but back then scientists were bewildered by this new type of planet!
With the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first known exoplanet around a Sun-like star coming up next week, my book Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science fact is a great primer on all things exoplanets, and how we interpret them through science fiction.
When Star Trek first aired in 1966, it posited a universe bursting with planetary possibilities—a bold move at a time before anyone knew of a single planet beyond our Solar System.
Read more of Michael L. Wong's review of "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact."
Read more of Michael L. Wong's review of "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact."
Crossroads of Science and Fiction
www.americanscientist.org
October 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
With the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the first known exoplanet around a Sun-like star coming up next week, my book Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science fact is a great primer on all things exoplanets, and how we interpret them through science fiction.
Brilliant to see Amazing Worlds reviewed in the new issue of Locus: "Amazing Worlds' well-earned sense of wonder, tempered by critical insight, elevates it above catalog of planetary trivia ... Cooper breathes fresh life both into the fiction and the facts." subscribers.locusmag.com/content/buy-...
October 1, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Brilliant to see Amazing Worlds reviewed in the new issue of Locus: "Amazing Worlds' well-earned sense of wonder, tempered by critical insight, elevates it above catalog of planetary trivia ... Cooper breathes fresh life both into the fiction and the facts." subscribers.locusmag.com/content/buy-...
How does the recent discovery of potential biosignatures on Mars by the Perseverance rover compare to other claims of evidence for life, on Mars and beyond? I find out in my latest article, discussing methane plumes, Martian meteorites, and gases on Venus and K2-18b: www.space.com/space-explor...
How excited should we be about the latest Mars potential biosignature discovery? 'It's arguably the best evidence we have so far'
It's not the first time there have been claims of signs of life on Mars, so why are scientists particularly thrilled now?
www.space.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:37 PM
How does the recent discovery of potential biosignatures on Mars by the Perseverance rover compare to other claims of evidence for life, on Mars and beyond? I find out in my latest article, discussing methane plumes, Martian meteorites, and gases on Venus and K2-18b: www.space.com/space-explor...
Some more promotion for Amazing Worlds, appearing on WICN public radio in the US; thanks to Mark Lynch for inviting me on. I did a little flub at the end though, crediting the stellar classification system to Henrietta Swan Leavitt when it was actually Annie Jump Cannon wicn.org/podcast/keit...
Keith Cooper - 90.5 WICN Public Radio
Tonight we go where no man has gone before! We talk with science journalist KEITH COOPER about his new book about alien worlds of science fiction and the real exoplanets that are now being discovered....
wicn.org
September 25, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Some more promotion for Amazing Worlds, appearing on WICN public radio in the US; thanks to Mark Lynch for inviting me on. I did a little flub at the end though, crediting the stellar classification system to Henrietta Swan Leavitt when it was actually Annie Jump Cannon wicn.org/podcast/keit...
I star in the latest Physics World podcast, discussing my book Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact and chatting about exoplanets in general. A special thanks to Hamish for hosting the podcast. Apologies for the horrendous picture of me: physicsworld.com/a/imagining-...
Imagining alien worlds: we explore the science and fiction of exoplanets – Physics World
Keith Cooper chats about has new book in this podcast
physicsworld.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I star in the latest Physics World podcast, discussing my book Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact and chatting about exoplanets in general. A special thanks to Hamish for hosting the podcast. Apologies for the horrendous picture of me: physicsworld.com/a/imagining-...
New article on my Substack: is technological alien life rare? A new calculation, based on the prevalence of planets with plate tectonics and just the right amount of CO2 and oxygen suggests they might be – but there are reasons for optimism. storiesfromthecosmicfrontier.substack.com/p/rare-earth...
Rare Earth strikes back? Why alien life might be rare
If Earth-like habitats really are scarce, then technological life might be too, with the nearest civilisation possibly being 33,000 light years away – but is our pessimism in error?
storiesfromthecosmicfrontier.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
New article on my Substack: is technological alien life rare? A new calculation, based on the prevalence of planets with plate tectonics and just the right amount of CO2 and oxygen suggests they might be – but there are reasons for optimism. storiesfromthecosmicfrontier.substack.com/p/rare-earth...
Great review of my book Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact in American Scientist: "An engaging survey of exoplanetary science ... Cooper demonstrates how entwined imagination and ingenuity are at the forefront of astronomical understanding." www.americanscientist.org/article/cros...
Crossroads of Science and Fiction
AMAZING WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION AND SCIENCE FACT. Keith Cooper. 224 pp. University of Chicago Press, 2025. $22.50.
www.americanscientist.org
September 20, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Great review of my book Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact in American Scientist: "An engaging survey of exoplanetary science ... Cooper demonstrates how entwined imagination and ingenuity are at the forefront of astronomical understanding." www.americanscientist.org/article/cros...
Another of the press releases that I wrote for Europlanet & EPSC-DPS2025 and possibly my favourite given its subject matter: how plate tectonics and the right amounts of CO2 and oxygen are crucial for technological life to evolve – and such life could be very rare: www.europlanet.org/epsc-dps2025...
EPSC-DPS2025: Planets Without Plate Tectonics and too Little Carbon Dioxide Could Mean that Technological Alien Life is Rare – Europlanet
www.europlanet.org
September 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Another of the press releases that I wrote for Europlanet & EPSC-DPS2025 and possibly my favourite given its subject matter: how plate tectonics and the right amounts of CO2 and oxygen are crucial for technological life to evolve – and such life could be very rare: www.europlanet.org/epsc-dps2025...
Another of my press releases from EPSC-DPS2025 and it's truly remarkable: how interstellar objects similar to 3I/ATLAS could be captured by protoplanetary discs around young stars and become the seeds of giant planets! Look out for more on this on my Substack soon! www.europlanet.org/epsc-dps2025...
September 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Another of my press releases from EPSC-DPS2025 and it's truly remarkable: how interstellar objects similar to 3I/ATLAS could be captured by protoplanetary discs around young stars and become the seeds of giant planets! Look out for more on this on my Substack soon! www.europlanet.org/epsc-dps2025...
It's been 40 years this month since Carl Sagan's epic science fiction novel, Contact, was published. I explore its themes of SETI, politics, religion and, indeed, contact, plus its legacy and how well it stands up today in my new article for Supercluster
www.supercluster.com/editorial/40...
www.supercluster.com/editorial/40...
40 Years Later: The Flaws and Timeless Themes of Carl Sagan's Contact
Such was Carl Sagan’s star power that, in 1981, he received a $2 million advance from Simon & Schuster to write Contact. Sagan must have had a hell of an agent: at the time it was the largest advance ...
www.supercluster.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
It's been 40 years this month since Carl Sagan's epic science fiction novel, Contact, was published. I explore its themes of SETI, politics, religion and, indeed, contact, plus its legacy and how well it stands up today in my new article for Supercluster
www.supercluster.com/editorial/40...
www.supercluster.com/editorial/40...
The final frontier: in my new article I explore David Kipping's 'TARS' concept for launching an interstellar mission using a spinning slingshot accelerated by solar wind pressure, which could fling a tiny spacecraft towards nearby stars at up to 1,000km/s www.space.com/technology/s...
Spacecraft launcher named for robot in 'Interstellar' could help us reach another star system. Here's how
The slingshot, called TARS, could in theory accelerate a small spacecraft up to 620 miles per second.
www.space.com
September 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The final frontier: in my new article I explore David Kipping's 'TARS' concept for launching an interstellar mission using a spinning slingshot accelerated by solar wind pressure, which could fling a tiny spacecraft towards nearby stars at up to 1,000km/s www.space.com/technology/s...