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Astronomy: The definitive guide by Robert Burnham, Alan Dryer and Jeff Kanipe, Weldon Owen, $39.95, ISBN 1875999450 Reviewed by Govert Schilling

IT’S NOT quite the Universe in a grain of sand, but this gem of a book succeeds in packing all of astronomy into a pint and a half. Astronomy’s 432 pleasantly designed pages are chock-full of hundreds of beautiful colour photographs and diagrams, star maps and well-written explanations of just about everything between the surface of the Earth and the edge of the Universe. Buying telescopes, planetary research, sky-gazing, cosmology – it’s all there.

First, the authors take you on a tour of the Universe. Then they hand over the reins to the reader. Need a practical guide to observing the night sky? Try the star maps drawn by famous stellar cartographer Wil Tirion. Or add to your knowledge with bite-sized chunks of information to put these visual treats into context. Best of all, the information is clear, error-free and up-to-date, thanks to the trio of seasoned astronomy writers who wrote it.

But is this really the definitive guide? I hope not. Astronomy is evolving rapidly, and a book like this deserves frequent updated new editions. But I certainly recommend it as a crash course in astronomy for every budding cosmophile. Ten years from now, I expect many professional and amateur astronomers to trace their passion for the field back to this book.