Much is yet to be discovered about the fascinating large-scale structures of the universe. Bernard Abrams, former Director of the Deep-Sky section of the British Astronomical Association and Michael Stecker, a celebrated California-based astronomical photographer, explain what we currently know of the near and far universe and present some of the most spectacular astronomical photographs ever taken.    Studying the ways in which the material of our universe is arranged and the processes which shape it over time provide the basis for the oldest science in the world: astronomy. This book uses Stecker artful astrophotography and electronic imaging to illustrate structures in the cosmos and to illuminate Abrams explanations surrounding them. The accompanying online material offers a veritable explosion of hundreds of beautiful color images that illustrate local and distant structures and galaxies.