John Noble Wilford and the award-winning Times reporters offer an unparalleled guide to astronomy today. The scientists seeking to unravel the mysteries of the universe are among the most imaginative and provocative explorers of our time. Like the geographic explorers of earlier centuries, they venture into uncharted spaces, come upon new worlds, expand the knowable, and challenge thinking about the place of humans in all things. Collected here are the most exciting moments of recent astronomical explorations, presented by the award-winning science reporters of the New York Times. Recent leaps in technology have allowed astronomers to peer deeply into the universe and to bring into focus fascinating and unsuspected phenomena . Cosmic Dispatches conveys in thrilling detail the meaning and significance of what scientists have been learning about our universe. Illustrations throughout.