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Six thousand years ago, when men first started writing down their thoughts,

 the stargazers of early civilizations tried to picture what the universe looked like. 

Today, astronomers are still trying to understand

what makes the stars shine steadily for billions of years,

how planetary systems are born, how stars are created and die.

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This book offers a thorough and intelligent synopsis

of our knowledge of the stars,

and in particular, the Milky Way,

the gigantic galaxy to which our sun belongs.

Starting with the ageless question of creation

you will see how:

Men of all eras and all nations have worked together to solve the riddle of the heavens.

Astronomers can measure a star's distance,

temperature, size and mass from nothing but a pinpoint of light.

Secrets of the sun have gradually been discovered, and how many secrets remain.

Biographies of the stars have been deciphered, the births,

lifespans, and deaths of the Milky Way's hundred billion members.

The Milky Way, itself, and its sister galaxies may have been created, and how they may someday end.

Planets of our solar system were born, and whether there may be planets circling other stars.

Man stands on the threshold of a magnificant era of exploration and new knowledge

about the planets, the stars, and the universe.