Perfect for the writer looking for realism in his work. Written for the layperson, this book gives details about the 800 stars and 80 planets within 40 light-years of Earth, with special attention given to the stars which Astronomers have discovered have orbiting planets. Includes a summary of star formation and evolution, planet formation theories, and where planets might orbit. Stars with planets have charts showing each planet's orbit, as well as the habitable zone -- where a planet must orbit to have water as a liquid on a planet's surface. Over one hundred easy-to-read maps and charts...