The earth is a member of the family of nine planets that revolve around the sun, the center of our solar system. Because the earth is our home, we feel it is the most important planet. But the other planets are interesting, too; some are much larger than Earth, some smaller, some hotter, some colder. Each is different.

This is a guidebook to our neighbors in the solar system. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto—each planet is described in detail. Distance, temperature, size, speed in its orbit, inclinations, mass and density are discussed and very clearly explained. Mercury, for instance, is the fastest, the smallest, the hottest, and the coldest of all the planets. It is, in fact, smaller than some of the satellites (moons) of the larger planets. One year on Neptune equals 165 Earth years. Temperatures of the planets range from several hundred degrees below zero to several hundred above. The author explains how and why these things are so.

He also explains, in treating each planet separately, how astronomers have made their discoveries and what fields of knowledge are being opened up today. The book is illustrated with handsome airbrush drawings.

From the dust jacket