An exciting introduction to astronomy the fourth edition of this book uses recent discoveries & stunning photography to inspire non-science majors about the Universe Written by two highly experienced & engaging instructors each chapter has been fully updated with more than 200 new images throughout including recent images from space missions & the world's best observatories The newly redesigned text is organized as a series of stories each presenting the history of the field the observations made & how they fit within the process of science our current understanding & what future observations are planned Math is provided in boxes & easily read around making the book suitable for courses taking either mathematical or qualitative approaches New discussion questions encourage students to think widely about astronomy & the role science plays in our everyday lives & podcasts for each chapter aid studying & comprehension