This popular science book offers a glimpse into a plethora of extreme cosmic phenomena in which the theories of modern physics, particularly quantum mechanics and general relativity, play a key role. Despite their vastly different appearances, these cosmic phenomena have much in common: they are all powered by exotic stars — black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs — collectively called compact objects.

The book describes, in accessible language, the physics underlying these phenomena, the historical background that led to their discovery, and the various observational techniques used by astronomers for their exposure. The book contains many spectacular photographs taken with modern telescopes around the world and satellites of different space agencies, as well as illustrations specially prepared by the author to enhance the reading experience.

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<!-- -->Contents:
Introduction
First Episode: The Universe and All That Is In It:
The History of the Universe
The Genesis of Galaxies and the Birth of Giant Black Holes
Stellar Evolution — From Dust Cloud to Black Hole
Second Episode: Physics and Astronomy in the 21st Century:
Matter, Force, and Symmetry in Nature
Principles of Modern Astronomy
Electromagnetic Radiation: Kinds and Classes
The Elusive Neutrino
Gravitational Waves: Spacetime Vibrations
Cosmic Rays — A Shower of Energetic Particles from the Universe
Third Episode: A Menagerie of Extreme Phenomena:
White Dwarfs and the Quantum Theory
Neurton Stars — The Largest Atomic Nuclei in the Universe
Quark Stars and Strange Matter
Lighthouses in the Universe
Magnetars — The Universe's Largest Magnets
Black Holes — The Crown Jewel of Einstein's Theory
The Black Holes' Magic Show
Death and Birth — The Tale of Cosmic Explosions
Mighty Bursts from Deep Space
Epilogue
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<!-- -->Readership: Non-professional readers interested in science in general, and physics and astronomy in particular.<!-- -->