The story of the invisible Universe and the LGBTQIA+ astronomers discovering it.

What if the world around us is far richer than we can perceive? In Invisible Rainbows, astrophysicist and science communicator Dr Alfredo Carpineti reveals the extraordinary hidden universe beyond the limits of human vision and how we have learnt to harness it. From the emanations of powerful cosmic explosions in gamma-rays to galaxies glowing in radio waves, he shows how every colour we see is just one note in the vast symphony of light.

Featuring conversations with LGBTQIA+ astronomers and scientists from around the world, Carpineti focuses on their pivotal but often invisible contribution to the evolving field of astronomy, and how our identities can shape the way we look at the universe. Blending awe-inspiring science with reflections on perception, diversity and wonder, Invisible Rainbows changes the way we see ourselves and the cosmos.

Praise for Invisible Rainbows

'Deeply fascinating and delightfully playful, Dr Alfredo Carpineti dazzles us with all the light we cannot see in this heartfelt ode to the universe beyond the visible. Illuminating in every sense of the word, Invisible Rainbows takes us on a breathtaking sightseeing tour of all the wavelengths of light that are invisible to the human eye, exploring the wondrous possibilities of the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays' - Caitlyn McBurnie, Scene Magazine

'A celebration of modern astronomy and a clear argument about the relationship between science and the society that produces it. The book is rigorous and warm in equal measure, never letting one undermine the other, and offers science communicators a strong example of how popular science writing can hold technical depth and political clarity on the same page' - Andrea Bandelli, Journal of Science Communication

'It’s very nicely written and offers a very new perspective on science as a human endeavour' - Professor Peter Coles

'Covering a huge breadth of topics, this is an enjoyable and amusing trip across the electromagnetic spectrum' - Katie Sawers, BBC Sky at Night Magazine