Part I: Stars, planets, and life. The size and scale of the universe --
From the day and night sky to planetary orbits --
How stars radiate energy (I) --
How stars radiate energy (II) --
The lives and deaths of stars (I) --
The lives and deaths of stars (II) --
Why pluto is not a planet --
The search for life in the galaxy --
Part II: Galaxies. The interstellar medium --
The universe of galaxies --
The expansion of the universe --
Quasars and supermassive black holes --
Part III: Einstein and the universe. Einstein's road to relativity --
Implications of special relativity --
Einstein's general theory of relativity --
Cosmic strings, wormholes, and time travel --
The shape of the universe and the big bang --
Inflation and recent developments in cosmology --
Our future in the universe --
Appendix 1: Derivation of E=mc2 --
Appendix 2: Bekenstein, entrophy of black holes, and information.