Ian Morison spent his professional career as a radio astronomer at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, and he has had an asteroid named in his honour in recognition for his work. In 2007 he was appointed Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College, the oldest chair of astronomy in the world. He writes a monthly online sky guide and audio podcast for the Jodrell Bank Observatory and is the author of numerous articles for the astronomical press and of a university astronomy textbook. His most recent book is An Amateur's Guide to Observing and Imaging the Heavens (Cambridge University Press, 2014).

'It would be hard to find a clearer and more balanced survey of what we know about the cosmos - from the Solar System, out to the remotest galaxies.' Martin Rees, University of Cambridge

• 1. Watchers of the skies; 2. Our Sun; 3. Aspects of our Solar System; 4. The rocky planets; 5. The hunt for Planet X; 6. Voyages to the outer planets; 7. Harbingers of doom; 8. Impact!; 9. 400 years of the telescope; 10. The family of stars; 11. Aging stars; 12. The search for other worlds; 13. Are we alone? The search for life beyond the Earth; 14. Our island Universe; 15. Wonders of the southern sky; 16: Proving Einstein right; 17. Black holes – no need to be afraid; 18. It's about time; 19. Hubble's heritage – the astronomer and the telescope that honours his name; 20. The violent Universe; 21. The invisible Universe: dark matter and dark energy; 22. The afterglow of creation; 23. To infinity and beyond; Index.

Ian Morison spent his professional career as a radio astronomer at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, and he has had an asteroid named in his honour in recognition for his work. In 2007 he was appointed Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College, the oldest chair of astronomy in the world. He writes a monthly online sky guide and audio podcast for the Jodrell Bank Observatory and is the author of numerous articles for the astronomical press and of a university astronomy textbook. His most recent book is An Amateur's Guide to Observing and Imaging the Heavens (Cambridge University Press, 2014).

'It would be hard to find a clearer and more balanced survey of what we know about the cosmos - from the Solar System, out to the remotest galaxies.' Martin Rees, University of Cambridge

• 1. Watchers of the skies; 2. Our Sun; 3. Aspects of our Solar System; 4. The rocky planets; 5. The hunt for Planet X; 6. Voyages to the outer planets; 7. Harbingers of doom; 8. Impact!; 9. 400 years of the telescope; 10. The family of stars; 11. Aging stars; 12. The search for other worlds; 13. Are we alone? The search for life beyond the Earth; 14. Our island Universe; 15. Wonders of the southern sky; 16: Proving Einstein right; 17. Black holes – no need to be afraid; 18. It's about time; 19. Hubble's heritage – the astronomer and the telescope that honours his name; 20. The violent Universe; 21. The invisible Universe: dark matter and dark energy; 22. The afterglow of creation; 23. To infinity and beyond; Index.

Ian Morison spent his professional career as a radio astronomer at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, and he has had an asteroid named in his honour in recognition for his work. In 2007 he was appointed Professor of Astronomy at Gresham College, the oldest chair of astronomy in the world. He writes a monthly online sky guide and audio podcast for the Jodrell Bank Observatory and is the author of numerous articles for the astronomical press and of a university astronomy textbook. His most recent book is An Amateur's Guide to Observing and Imaging the Heavens (Cambridge University Press, 2014).

'It would be hard to find a clearer and more balanced survey of what we know about the cosmos - from the Solar System, out to the remotest galaxies.' Martin Rees, University of Cambridge

• 1. Watchers of the skies; 2. Our Sun; 3. Aspects of our Solar System; 4. The rocky planets; 5. The hunt for Planet X; 6. Voyages to the outer planets; 7. Harbingers of doom; 8. Impact!; 9. 400 years of the telescope; 10. The family of stars; 11. Aging stars; 12. The search for other worlds; 13. Are we alone? The search for life beyond the Earth; 14. Our island Universe; 15. Wonders of the southern sky; 16: Proving Einstein right; 17. Black holes – no need to be afraid; 18. It's about time; 19. Hubble's heritage – the astronomer and the telescope that honours his name; 20. The violent Universe; 21. The invisible Universe: dark matter and dark energy; 22. The afterglow of creation; 23. To infinity and beyond; Index.