Rating: 
Summary: Indescribably spectacular
Review: I first saw this book in the souvenir shop at the Hayden Planetarium in New York and I absolutely had to have it. This is an astounding compilation of stunning photographs of our universe. It is a coffee table book, about 11" x 14" so the photographs are very large with incredible detail. The book is broken down into four sections with each one more inclusive. The first section is on the planets. It includes amazingly detailed photos of all the planets as well as comets and meteors with detailed descriptions of each planet. The second section is about the stars. There are splendid pictures of nebulae that are more fantastic than the most spectacular fireworks display you could ever imagine. There is an interesting discussion of the birth of stars, how they differ and how long they last. There are also photographs of the remnants of supernovas as well as double stars and star clusters. The third section is on galaxies. Again, we have breathtaking photography of various galaxies, including fascinating and informative descriptions about the birth and evolution of galaxies. The last section is on the universe. This is more descriptive than illustrative and discusses the Big Bang and the evolution of the universe as it expanded, cooled and formed galaxies. In addition to the sections mentioned above, there is also an interesting appendix filled with tables of information on planets, stars and galaxies including their distance, discovery dates and vital statistics. This awesome book is educational, inspirational and beautiful beyond words. It is perfect for students, lovers of astronomy or anyone else who appreciates the lovely wonders of nature.
Rating:
Summary: Indescribably spectacular
Review: I first saw this book in the souvenir shop at the Hayden Planetarium in New York and I absolutely had to have it. This is an astounding compilation of stunning photographs of our universe. It is a coffee table book, about 11" x 14" so the photographs are very large with incredible detail. The book is broken down into four sections with each one more inclusive. The first section is on the planets. It includes amazingly detailed photos of all the planets as well as comets and meteors with detailed descriptions of each planet. The second section is about the stars. There are splendid pictures of nebulae that are more fantastic than the most spectacular fireworks display you could ever imagine. There is an interesting discussion of the birth of stars, how they differ and how long they last. There are also photographs of the remnants of supernovas as well as double stars and star clusters. The third section is on galaxies. Again, we have breathtaking photography of various galaxies, including fascinating and informative descriptions about the birth and evolution of galaxies. The last section is on the universe. This is more descriptive than illustrative and discusses the Big Bang and the evolution of the universe as it expanded, cooled and formed galaxies. In addition to the sections mentioned above, there is also an interesting appendix filled with tables of information on planets, stars and galaxies including their distance, discovery dates and vital statistics. This awesome book is educational, inspirational and beautiful beyond words. It is perfect for students, lovers of astronomy or anyone else who appreciates the lovely wonders of nature.
Rating:
Summary: Simply magnificent
Review: I just received this book for my birthday and have been immersed in it ever sinse. The writing is a perfect balance between science jargon and understandable English. The flow is great too, starting in our own solar system and then moving further outward until the reader reaches the out limits of the universe. Spectacular phots as well. Even if one does not have much of an interest in the cosmos, this book remains a great work.
Rating: 
Summary: Ditto
Review: I'll echo the thoughts of the other reviewers. Great picture book for the coffee table. I slightly preferred the pictures in Malin's Invisible Universe, but I bought this one for one basic reason: it's smaller in size and actually fits on our coffee table! Unlike Malin, it also has pictures of the planets. You won't go wrong with this or Malin, but I'd buy Malin's first if I had a bigger table, mainly because his pictures of several star fields are just glorious. "What a mighty God we serve!"
Rating:
Summary: Ditto
Review: I'll echo the thoughts of the other reviewers. Great picture book for the coffee table. I slightly preferred the pictures in Malin's Invisible Universe, but I bought this one for one basic reason: it's smaller in size and actually fits on our coffee table! Unlike Malin, it also has pictures of the planets. You won't go wrong with this or Malin, but I'd buy Malin's first if I had a bigger table, mainly because his pictures of several star fields are just glorious. "What a mighty God we serve!"
Rating:
Summary: The Magnificent Universe is Simply Magnificent
Review: One of the most enjoyable books I have ever read or seen. Perhaps it is one of the most beautiful books ever published. The book is a must buy if you like astronomy and is also a good way to inspire children into the wonders of the Cosmos. One cannot help but read and look at this book and wonder at the magnificence of the universe in which we live. Five Stars! Jeff Scott
Rating:
Summary: A magnificent compilation of all things celestial
Review: Perhaps this is the most astounding compilation of astrophotography ever to be published. The quality of the color plates is fascinating and incredibly detailed. All the objects of the sky finally receive the attention they longed for: included within are photographs of virtually anything one can imagine to be out in space - our local planets, stars close and far away, asteroids and protuberances, novae, nebulae, swaths of constellations, galaxies, and deep sky objects, all in glorious color. However, I deeply regret that nowhere to be conveniently found are the coordinates of these objects as seen in the Earth sky. Also, I could not find the wealth of astronomical data concerning the objects portayed which would have made this work all the more fascinating. Nevertheless, this is a superb work, doubtless to remain a classic in celestial photography for many years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely stunning
Review: This book is packed with stunning photographs from our universe, starting in our own 'backyard' with images from the solar system such as the planets and their moons. The close ups are amazing!
We then move on to the stars and galaxies that fill our night skies. Again, the images are breathtaking. There is some background information too although not enough to keep a serious astronomer interested but with such a visual feast who cares? A delightful book for anyone with an interest in space
Rating:
Summary: how beautiful
Review: This is a great collection of full color, high quality photographs from the Hubble Telescope. There are few things more beautiful than the churning Universe and this book features a stunning portion of it. I just wish it were longer...I could look at this stuff all day long!
Rating:
Summary: Great science blended with brilliant photographs!
Review: This is an extraordinary book. I'm giving a copy to my 10 year old grand daughter. The photos are exceptional but they are backed by succinct, clear, explanation that any intelligent reader can grasp. It looks like a coffee table book, but I can't imagine a better introduction to astronomy. Because of its beauty combined with brevity it leaves even those who know the topic with a feeling of grasping the whole at a new level.
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