A Beginner's Guide to the Universe

A Beginner's Guide to the Universe is a fascinating introduction to astronomy and the wonders of the night sky. It begins by looking at the universe as a whole, describing what we can see in the night sky. The authors then go on to explore the planets of our solar system, from the hot world of Mercury near the Sun to the distant, frozen world of Pluto. Moons, asteroids, meteoroids and comets are described in detail, and objects outside the solar system are explained. Young readers will learn what stars are, and how they cluster together to form galaxies that allow us to map out the furthest reaches of our Universe. A key feature is a section in which John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, answers astronomy questions posed by schoolchildren. This guide will also appeal to adults wishing to learn about astronomy for the first time. Andrew Conway is a lecturer in astronomy, based in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Open University, UK. He is an active researcher in solar physics, and has given many lecture courses on popular astronomy. He is also a regular guest lecturer at astronomical societies. Rosie Coleman is a primary school teacher in Scotland, UK, and has taught children for almost thirty years. She has given many educational talks, and produced material for use in schools throughout Scotland.