Astronomy is one of the oldest of sciences.
We live at a crucial phase in the history of our civilization, indeed of our planet. For the first time in history, we have the power to both enhance and destroy our planet with our new-found technology and our massive thirst for energy. Still, we have the chance to user our knowledge wisely by improving the quality of life on our planet. Modern planetary astronomy provides us with a glimpse of the diversity of other worlds, from the runaway greenhouse effect on Venus and the changing climate of Mars, to the shifting ice flows on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Astronomy places human development in context.