Dimensions
110 x 140 x 20mm
Our Solar System and Its Place in the Universe
2 Cassettes
Written by a leading planetary scientist, 'Destiny or Chance' tells the remarkable story of how our solar system came into existence. It provides a fast-paced and expert tour of our new understanding of the Earth, its planetary neighbours and other planetary systems. Ross Taylor explains to us why Mars is so small, where comets come from, how rings form around planets, why asteriods exist and why Pluto isn't even a planet at all. En route, we discover that chance events have shaped the course of the history of our solar system: dramatic collisions, for example, have caused the tilts and spins of planets, the extinction of the dinosaurs, and the rise of man. Finally, we learn why Earth is suitable for harbouring life, what other planetary systems look like and explore whether or not we are alone in the cosmos. For anyone interested in understanding our solar system, this is an invaluable and gripping story.