David H. Levy, the science columnist for PARADE magazine, who took over Carl Sagan's post, is one of the world's foremost astronomers and a contributor to ASTRONOMY magazine. He has discovered 22 comets, including Shoemaker-Levy 9, which collided with Jupiter and made news around the world. In this easily understood book, he takes the armchair reader around the cosmos, introducing the major subjects studied by astronomy students in a manner non-students, and ageing ex-students can understand. Accompanied by b/w illustrations and a color section of important discoveries and maps, this book is the place to start for anybody who wants an introductory course or refresher course in a subject of extraordinary scope.

Whether discussing "the deep sky," solar eclipses, dark matter or the rings of Saturn, Levy brings refreshing clarity and affability to a subject often considered too complex for the "ordinary" reader.

• In one volume, everything a casual reader needs to know to understand our view of the cosmos.

• This is an accessible, comprehensive handbook for all things dealing with cosmology.

• Includes tips and information about telescopes and amateur astronomy. Information on where and when to look for the most spectacular heavenly sights.

• Find out how to discover new comets and other celestial objects on your own.

• Includes first hand accounts from astronomer David Levy of field sessions and voyages to view total eclipses of the sun.

• Impress your friends by knowing what is actually visible -- and what you're looking at -- in a clear night sky.