“An awe-inspiring tour of the solar system’s most noteworthy celestial bodies. Murdin’s fondness for his subject is evident throughout this elegant, imaginative survey and should be contagious to all who encounter it.” (Publishers Weekly (starred))

“With nations reviving an interest in human space exploration, this expert overview by Murdin, emeritus professor of astronomy at Cambridge, is a welcome description of what’s out there…Satisfying popular science, just right for the budding astronomer in the household…satisfying popular science, just right for the budding astronomer in the household.” (Kirkus Review)

In this highly readable survey of the planets from Mercury outward, astronomer Murdin summarizes the scientific knowledge about each…A first-rate introduction to the solar system. (Booklist)

Paul Murdin has worked as an astronomer in the United States, Australia, England, Scotland, and Spain, where he led the operation of the Anglo-Dutch Isaac Newton Group of telescopes. He has been a research scientist (studying supernovae, black holes, and neutron stars) and a science administrator for the British Government and the Royal Astronomical Society. He is Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge, England. He has been honored in Britain by the Queen for his services to astronomy.

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