What makes Earth different from all the other planets? Did Mars ever have running water? What is Pluto? Will asteroids or comets collide with the Earth? What is a solar eclipse like? Astronomy 102, a non-major, general introduction to the part of contemporary astronomy that comprises the study of the solar system, will provide answers to these questions and more. We will cover the historical development of humanity's understanding of the solar system, examining contributions by Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, and others. We will discuss the discovery of planets around stars other than the Sun. The course gives special attention to exciting discoveries of the past few years by space probes and by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope. This course is independent of, and on the same level as Astronomy 101 and 104, though students who have taken those courses are welcome. Observing sessions include use of the 24, telescope and other telescopes for observations of stars, star clusters, planets and their moons, nebulae, and galaxies, as well as daytime observations of the Sun. Format: lecture (three hours per week), observing sessions (scattered throughout the semester), afternoon labs (four times per semester), and a planetary demonstration. Evaluation will be based on two hour tests, a final exam, an observing portfolio, and laboratory reports. No prerequisites. No enrollment limit (expected: 30). Non-major course.