Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Solar System Exploration Division, Planetary Astronomy Committee, 1989. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Wraps. 26 cm. 97 [1] pages. Wraps. Illustrations (some in color). Boxes. Ex-library with usual library markings. Presented is a synopsis of the past, present, and future of NASA's planetary astronomy program. The goals of solar system exploration and the objectives of planetary astronomy are discussed in the first section. The second section examines the planetary astronomy program for 1988 in terms of finances, areas of strength, and areas of concern. Section three takes an in-depth look at ground-based and airborne planetary astronomy, while section four examines earth-orbital planetary astronomy. In each section, accomplishments and future missions are evaluated as to success and importance. Finally, the fifth section provides overall conclusions and recommendations. The goal of planetary exploration is to understand the nature and development of the planets, as illustrated by pictures from the first two decades of spacecraft missions and by the imaginations of space artists. Planets, comets, asteroids, and moons are studied to discover the reasons for their similarities and differences. More