The Exploring the Universe series is a detailed guide to the exploration of space, covering subjects from the birth of the universe and the formation of black holes to astronaut training and space telescopes. Each book includes clear explanations of scientific concepts and theories and informative annotated diagrams. The nature and orbits of our nearest neighbors in space have fascinated observers for millennia. From the terrestrial planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—to the gas giants—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune—this book goes on to cover the Kuiper Belt the mysterious and theoretical Oort Cloud.