For as long as human eyes have gazed upwards to the heavens, we have watched and wondered at the majesty of the universe. Today, with the aid of ever more sophisticated telescopes, and using spece probes and satellites, scientists are searching the cosmos for traces of our universe's momentous beginnings. Colin Ronan is a scientist and astronomer whose love of science and enthusiasm for his subject make this book interesting for the general reader. Using hundreds of analogies from our everyday lives, from street lamps to motorcycles, he clarifies the facts behind the wonders of the universe. He cuts through the black hole of incomprehensible theorizing and brings astronomy down to earth by linking theory to practical experience. Taking Earth as its starting point and observatory, this book moves outwards through the cosmos, using images from the latest space telescopes, specially drawn colour artwork, and colour graphics to focus successively on the planets, the sun and stars, nebulae and galaxies; then pulls together these diverse elements to explain how the system works as a whole. An integrated cross-referencing system keys each section to the larger picture.