From the frigid plains of Mars to the blast of x-rays emerging from the maw of a black hole, the universe is a contrasting realm of fire and ice, violence and tranquility, absolute desolation and over- whelming beauty. Bringing perspective to this vast cosmic panoply, award-winning astronomy writer Terence Dickinson takes readers on a realistic and fact-filled journey from Earth to the most remote boundaries of the universe. Renowned for his skill at simplifying the most difficult concepts in astronomy, Dickinson is the ideal tour guide for anyone who wants a comprehensive yet readable introduction to contemporary astronomy.