OUR MILKY WAY AND OTHER GALAXIES

What exactly is a galaxy? What happens when one explodes—or collides with another galaxy? Is it possible for one galaxy to “swallow up” smaller ones? Do al galaxies have black holes at their center? These are just a few of the challenging questions Isaac Asimov addresses, using our own Milky Way as a basis for his discussion of these vast clusters of stars.

This is a typical entry in the “Isaac Asimov’s Library of the Universe” series. The text is short and choppy, but generally covers the material well and is surrounded by excellent and colorful illustrations. Adults might find a book on general astronomy or Asimov’s New Guide to Science more to their liking, but children would definitely enjoy this volume.