Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. CONTENTS v
3. Preface vii
4. Chapter 1: First Impressions 1
5. Chapter 2: Historic Perceptions 10
6. Chapter 3: Panchromatic Vistas 53
7. Chapter 4: Neighbors of the Sun 82
8. Chapter 5: Beacons from Afar 102
9. Chapter 6: Star Birth 127
10. Chapter 7: Lives of the Stars 148
11. Chapter 8: Stellar Afterlives 171
12. Chapter 9: The Galactic Garden 194
13. Chapter 10: Monster in the Core 221
14. Chapter 11: Tales of Origin 236
15. Chapter 12: Life in the Milky Way 251
16. Glossary 277
17. Notes 295
18. Selected Readings 303
19. Index 311