Aimed at general readers who want to expand their knowledge about the cosmos, this volume examines the relationship between our planet and the rest of the universe, and how phenomena in outer space affect our weather systems, plant and animal life. Kanipe, a noted science writer, uses clear and simple terminology to explain how the axis of the Earth affects our climate, how supernovas may have caused mass extinctions of species and fomented genetic mutations and how inconsistencies in solar activity impact our daily lives. A final section is devoted to miscellaneous events such as the appearance of Halley's Comet and the expansion of Smith's Cloud on the outer edges of the Milky Way. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)