Universe: Exploring the Astronomical World

Explore the stars and planets and beyond through 300 fascinating images from ancient cave paintings to animation

Universe is a groundbreaking survey that celebrates the popular subject of astronomy through 300 images created by those who have tried to understand - or who have been inspired by - the beauty and mystery of stars, planets, and beyond. Carefully chosen by an international panel of experts and arranged to highlight thought-provoking contrasts and similarities, the selection includes paintings, photographs, sculpture, animation, prints, sketches, and digital renderings with iconic works by renowned photographers, artists, and astronomers alongside previously unpublished finds.

Advisory panel: Louise Beer, Jerry Bonnell, David DeVorkin, Louise Devoy, Seb Falk, George Greenstein, Elizabeth Kessler, Michael Light, Kristen Lippincott, Mary-Kay Lombino, David Malin, Paul Murdin, Liba Taub and Melanie Vandenbrouck

Additional texts: Emma Barton, Ruth Chivers, Tim Cooke, Sarah Cruddas, Louise Devoy, Louisa Elderton, Seb Falk, Diane Fortenberry, Elizabeth Kessler, Mary Kay Lombino, Cathy Lowne, David Malin, Rebecca Morrill, Paul Murdin, Melanie Vanderbrouck and Katilin Villano

Phaidon Editors

Paul Murdin has worked as an astronomer in the United States, Australia, England, Scotland and Spain. Previously a research scientist and a science administrator for the UK Government and the Royal Astronomical Society, he now works at the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge, England, and is visiting professor at John Moores University, Liverpool.

David Malin was formerly Photographic Scientist at the Anglo-Australian Observatory, New South Wales, and is currently Adjunct Professor of Scientific Photography at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Winner of the prestigious Lennart Nilsson prize, his pioneering photographs of space have revolutionized understanding of the universe.