"An introduction to unusual objects and phenomena in the universe. Includes diagrams, fun facts, glossary, resource list, and index"--Provided by publisher.

Introduction -- How big is the universe? -- Where is the solar system in the universe? -- What is the observable universe? -- How far into the universe can we see without a telescope? -- Why is it dark in space? -- How does light travel through the universe? -- Focus on: hungry cores -- Is space a total vacuum? -- What was the big bang? -- What existed before the big bang? -- What is the cosmic background radiation? -- Is the universe expanding? -- What is the universe expanding into? -- What are high-energy cosmic rays? -- Focus on: gamma-ray bursts: outshining the universe -- What is dark energy? -- Where did matter come from? -- What is dark matter? -- What do we know about black holes? -- What are micro black holes? -- Are there planets orbiting stars besides the sun? -- Is there life in other parts of the universe? -- Focus on: the universe's largest magnets -- Could the universe be made of strings? -- Could there be universes besides our own? -- What is time? -- Is time travel possible?.