A thrilling guidebook to the secrets of the Universe. Not only was this book chosen as the IAU's "Official Book for the Year of Astronomy 2009", it is also the basis for the much-awarded animation series, "Cosmic Quantum Ray". Best-selling author and world famous scientist, Mani Bhaumik, deals with the questions which have preoccupied us all: What actually goes on in space and the Universe? How did it all begin? Where is it heading? Are we alone in the Universe or is there other intelligent life out there? Supported by outstanding photographs the author tells us in a simple, straight-forward manner of the most recent discoveries about the Universe – its countless galaxies, solar systems, white dwarves and red giants, as well as what we can reasonably know about the beginning of the Universe. He concludes his fascinating excursions through space and time with a bold statement supported by the likes of Albert Einstein, John Wheeler and Stephen Hawking: "From its very beginning, the Universe's structure made the ultimate appearance of intelligent life an inevitable development".

"Professor Bhaumik boasts an enormous wealth of knowledge. Putting most advanced scientific research into easily understood language is no simple feat – this book proves that it is possible." (Dr. Catherine Cesarsky, President, IAU – International Astronomical Union)

"In this thrilling book based on the most current research, Mani Bhaumik brings deep insight into the structure of the Universe." (Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 Astronaut)

About the author:

Professor Mani Bhaumik was born in Bengal, India into a very low caste of the Indian social system. Close ties with Mahatma Ghandi; studied at Calcutta University. In 1959 he was granted a Sloan Foundation Fellowship to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). In 1961 he began his career researching lasers and has conducted research at the Northrop Corporate Research Laboratory since 1968. He developed laser research for eye surgery thereby revolutionising eye surgery techniques. He has published numerous scientific papers and is the recipient of many international awards. He is the president of "Cosmogenics.org", a non-profit organisation devoted to young people's education and exploration of the Universe.