This accessible book offers an imaginative journey through the Universe
in search of water, founded on the latest science. The author begins by
re-introducing the molecule H2O, its physical and chemical
characteristics, its cosmic formation and abundance. The book goes on to
describe methods by which the presence of water is detected, within the
solar system and beyond. The book explores the presence and absence of
water in the bodies of the Solar System: in the giant planets, with
their rings and satellites, in comets, asteroids and in the terrestrial
planets. The author explains how small differences in temperature cause
water to exist in different states on different planets - vapour on
Venus, liquid on Earth and solid ice on Mars - leading to divergence in
the evolutionary paths of the three planets. The book concludes with a
look at the important role played by water in studies of habitable
exoplanets.