Most planetary systems are fairly boring things. A giant gas planet or two,
maybe a few rocky moons, maybe even a solid planet with an atmosphere. The Solar
System (The system of planets in orbit around the star Sol) on the other hand,
would probably be held up as prime evidence of a Supernatural Creator by the
majority of Earth's religions, if they actually believed what the Astronomers
were telling them. This is usually not the case. (See: "Gallileo",
"Copernicus", "The Spanish Inquisition")

The Sol System does not necessarily contain the strangest sights in the universe,
but the sheer number of odd things there is likely to cause the average astrophysicist
to see a psychologist. It's as if someone set out to build an instruction
manual/obstacle course for any spacefaring species evolving in that system.
Unfortunately, this is Homo Sapiens, who have the annoying tendency to take
astonishing things completely for granted, so whoever is responsible certainly
isn't omniscient.

We will give a brief overview overview of this fascinating system, touching
briefly on interesting sights for the discerning hitchhiker.

Sol

Great star. Not to many X-rays, not too little infrared, just right for silicon
life forms close in, carbon/water life forms in the middle, hydrogen gas fliers
in the big planets, and methane/ice life further out. Although hospitality services
are only available for carbon/water forms at the present time, some plans are
underway to set up facilities in the other zones within the next few hundred
years. Check back soon. Sol is very stable, both astrophysically and politically,
though it's expected to start running down in about 200 million years, unless
some preventative maintenance is carried out.

Mercury
Hot enough to boil tin on the sunward summer side, cold enough to freeze
ice in the dark winter. No atmosphere. No hotels. Mercury is a quite inhospitable
place.

Venus

Due to an out-of-control greenhouse effect, not only is the sky constantly covered
in clouds, but it rains all the time. (Similar to England, in this respect)
Visitors should wear comfortable rain gear which isn't dissolved by concentrated
sulfuric acid. You'd think the Humans would take a hint from the example just
next door, since Venus is in many ways Earth's sister planet, except for the
atmosphere. They don't, of course.

Earth & Moon

This is where things begin to get really strange. First, it's got this huge
satellite called "Moon". So large, in fact, that many Earth astronomers
are considering reclassifying themselves as a double planet. Moon is really
quite amazing, and despite not having an atmosphere, is really worth the visit.
Even Homo Sapiens (notorious shut-ins) have been on picnics there. Both planets
dominate each other's skies, and mess with each other's gravity something shocking.
Earth's seas vary in height as much as two meters every rotation, which is unheard
of for a primary terrestrial planet. And the small distance between them (about
one light second) makes it a perfectly safe and easy first step out into space.
(Homo Sapiens has preserved the first vehicle they used to get there, inspiring
awe in everyone who sees it, saying "They got there in that!?")
Even before, Moon was a such a bloody glaring demonstration of the basic mechanics
of planets that even Humans managed to catch on.

Moon's rotation has perfectly matched it's orbital period because of the gravitational
fun, and Earth's rotation is also slowing for the same reasons. The far side
of Moon is notable, as it is the only place in the Sol System where you can
be guaranteed never to accidentally hear a Kylie Minogue radio broadcast, thus
making it quite popular.

Earth itself would be a fairly ordinary planet if it weren't for the amazing
profusion of life which is there. Millions of species! You won't believe it.
Take a camera. Mostly harmless in other respects.

Mars

This planet is notable for the sole reason that it's perfectly average. It's
what you expect. Thin atmosphere, reasonable gravity, sunny, and a pair of lumpy
satellites that might be captured asteroids. Some nice mountains. Basically
boring, at least until Homo Sapiens gets there.

The Asteroid Belt

This is the last of the major navigation hazards in the Sol system, constituting
a vast ring of small rocks kept in order by the gravitational influences of
Jupiter and Mars. Whether unformed planet, exploded planet, or just debris is
not known. It is mostly confined to the ecliptic plane, so travelers coming
in from the outer planets will need to make a detour.

Jupiter

Biggest in the system, the metallic hydrogen core generates some pretty intense
magnetic fields which may be suitable for surfing. It also has a system of 16
satellites which deserves it's own entry, Titan being the largest. Jupiter's
anomaly is it's obvious storm systems and 'Great Red Spot'. The whorls and patterns
on the upper atmosphere are cute. Jupiter is an excellent place for a hydrogen
fuel stop, but there are no eating or bathroom facilities.

Saturn

Wow. Forget Earth, this gas giant is the real reason for braving all the hazards
associated with Sol. It has a ring system to die for, made from high-albedo
ice, kept in place by members of its 18 satellite contingent which is performing
the most harmonic ballet of cosmic balance I've ever seen. The rings shouldn't
be there. They're too improbable. Too beautiful. Too fragile.

The "Shepherd Moons" gravitationally kiss each time they pass by,
promising to meet again. The icy particles of the rings are their care, each
one kept in place by the restless shepherds. The slightest disturbance could
mar the rings for a century, or even destroy them completely. To sit on Mimas
and look up at a sky filled with hundreds of perfect glittering rings, braided
and intertwined, is to be brought to tears. No emoting being could be unmoved.

This researcher has never seen anything like them, ever. Saturn haunts my dreams.
Come and see.

Uranus

Big. Blue. Weird.

First, someone's knocked it over. It's axis of rotation is almost 90 degrees
to the plane of the ecliptic, so its polar regions get more sun than the equator.
The equator is still somehow warmer than the poles, though. No-one knows why.
Alone of the four largest planets, it doesn't generate more heat than it receives,
leaving it cold. And the magnetic field is at 60 degrees to the axis of rotation!
This makes Uranus the most screwed up planet in the system, as well as having
the silliest name. It's got lots of funny little moons, too. Good for a laugh.

Neptune

Neptune seems to be just a poor imitation of the features of the other three
giants. It's got some twisty rings, like Saturn. It's got a storm spot like
Jupiter. And it's got a tilted magnetic field like Uranus. The only new
weird thing it adds to the broth is that the winds are unaccountably stronger
than they should be. Only for the completists.

Pluto & Charon

These two are the other double planet in the system, along with Earth &
Moon, but are even closer in size! This has lead to both planets matching
rotation with orbit, so the same sides face each other all the time. Pluto is
quite eccentric, and swaps order with Neptune every hundred years or so. Did
we mention it's cold? When it wanders back out to perihelion, the atmosphere
freezes and falls as snow. Take a coat.

Kupier Belt & Oort Cloud

These are Class 1 navigational hazards, and the main reason why the Sol system
isn't visited much. Collect one of these with your windscreen and you'll understand
why. Big chunks of rock and ice. Moving fast.

The Kupier belt starts just outside the orbit of Pluto, and is fairly easy
to avoid once you know it's there, since it's in the plane of the ecliptic like
the asteroid belt. Just go over the top.

The Oort cloud is trickier, since it's a spherical shell completely surrounding
the place at a distance of about a light year, made up from all the leftover
bits from the early creation of the system, flung out into deep space by Jupiter
and the other big planets. Messy. Without a proper navigational survey, this
leaves Sol and planets only for the intrepid off-roader.

~Orinoco