In simple language and using everyday analogies, Fairall enables us to understand concepts of great complexity, and makes the elevated science of cosmology temptingly accessible to amateur readers. He explains how, peering deep into the cosmos, we penetrate billions of light years in distance, and correspondingly billions of light years back in time - stopping just short of witnessing the 'big bang' beginnings of the universe itself. A section on telescopes and observatories is followed by a final chapter of star charts that map the southern skies for 12 months of the year.