An Earthling's Guide to the Solar System

This book takes its readers on an Earthling’s tour through the Solar System. Beginning with an introductory survey of what can be seen in the sky, it describes what scientists have learned about the Earth and Moon, inner rocky planets, dominant gas giants, outer ice giants, moons, asteroids, comets, and other pieces of “cosmic debris” that all orbit around our home star – the Sun. It also considers the rapidly increasing number of planets known to be orbiting stars well beyond the Sun’s domain. Informed by the latest space missions, the book provides students, educators, and enthusiasts with an accessible guide to our home planetary system, its possible origin story, and its cosmic context as a wellspring of life.