Essays on the ways of knowing the Universe. In a fascinating, intelligible form with a wide involvement of historical material, it tells about the achievements of modern astronomy and astronautics, about the methods of astronomical research, about the close ties of astronomy with mechanics, mathematics, physics, and the sciences of the Earth. A large place is given to scientific data obtained thanks to the progress of rocket and space technology. The history of astronomy can be traced in connection with the general development of scientific creativity in various historical eras. The book is richly illustrated using old documents, paintings, postage stamps