There is a passage about black holes is very interesting, some black holes for example having a density no greater than that of air, their masses are sufficiently large. Trinh Xuan Thuan also told that "any object can become a black hole" and as demonstrated Stephen Hawking, black holes lose mass and evaporate by emitting light. We also learn that elements heavier than iron were created by supernovas (exploding stars). There are also many considerations on quantum mechanics, including the duality wave / particle or the uncertainty principle. In fact Trinh Xuan Thuan reviews most major themes of astrophysics (but it does not address the question of the existence of extraterrestrial life). As suggested by the title of the book, the operation of the universe will always remain mysterious part, "the human mind can never grasp the totality of the universe."
It's amazing what you learn by reading this little book which makes us love astrophysics and complete the scientific culture that must have every honest man.
