Explore the fascinating night sky with this acclaimed astronomy self-teaching guide From stars, planets, and galaxies to black holes, the Big Bang, and life in space, this new edition of Astronomy brings the wonders of the cosmos to life. Offering a unique, successful self-teaching format, this practical, user-friendly guide makes it easy for you to quickly grasp the basic principles of astronomy and build gradually on what you have learned. Updated with the latest discoveries and graphics, this new guide by award-winning author Dinah Moche features: Frontier twenty-first-century research into black holes, active galaxies, and quasars New Web site addresses throughout for the best astronomy online Removable Star and Moon maps for fun stargazing A review of the latest ground and space telescopes Up-to-date star, constellation, and astronomical data Objectives, reviews, and self-tests to monitor your progress. This complete, new edition is all any student or amateur stargazer needs to understand and appreciate the wonders of the universe. You can use the book alone or with a conventional textbook, Internet-based or distance-learning course, computer software, telescope manual, or as a handy reference. Praise for previous editions of Astronomy " One of the best ways by which one can be introduced to the wonders of astronomy. " The Strolling Astronomer "Excellent ...provides stimulating reading and actively involves the reader in astronomy." The Reflector