Even if you never take a single picture, this book is worth the price if only for its wonderful images of the universe. This book has been the 'bible' of astrophotographers for decades. This new edition has up to date information for both film and ccd imaging. If I could only choose one book on astrophotography, this would be the one. Splendors of the Universe is complimentary to this book and both books should be the basis of your astrophotography library.
Eclipses only happen a few times in our lives.
This book will help you immortalize these events. Dr. Hawking explains the history, and the workings of the universe in a way that the average person can understand. In my opinion, this man is the most brilliant mind since Einstein. A book that challenges the very concept and existence of time. The author examines the relationship between quantum and classical physics and in so doing makes us question that which we've accepted as the truth about our universe.