This breathtaking photographic tour of the universe features more than 180 exquisite, cutting-edge images, as well as a foreword by award-winning physicist Stephen Hawking. The photos, taken by the newest space explorers—highly sophisticated telescopes, probes, and satellites—are arranged in an A to Z format with thorough text blocks that elucidate the phenomena in a refreshingly concise and accessible manner. From asteroids to pulsars to white dwarfs, each entry consists of bold photos and descriptive text. A data box accompanying each picture provides fascinating details about how, where, and when each shot was taken. In the back of this awe-inspiring volume are the stories behind the space probes and telescopes, along with an essay on color imagery in space and a glossary.