White dwarves. Black dwarves. Red giants. Are these Disney characters? Actually, they are astronomical terms that are explained in 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Universe, the only source for a comprehensive and entertaining account of the stars and the sun, space exploration, and the Milky Way Galaxy. Eminent astronomer Bill Gutsch takes the reader on a journey to explore the nebulous star clusters, probe the core of the nuclear furnace we call the sun, tour the distortions of time and space, and demystify 997 more amazing secrets of the cosmos. Readers gain insight into how the galaxy evolved, and search its very heart where many believe there may lurk a monstrous black hole. Are there other beings that, like us, look up at the starry sky and wonder? 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Universe will ferret out the most likely places in space for life to exist, and reveal how scientists are actually trying to contact advanced extra-terrestrials. These are a few of the subjects 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Universe will present in a fun, engaging and intelligent way. From the Hardcover edition.