What's our fascination with the other planets in our solar system? From ancient mythology to the recent battle over Pluto's planetary status, people's imaginations have been captured by our companions around the Sun. In this hour, Ira talks with author Dava Sobel about her personal fascination with the eight (or nine?) planets, and how she expressed that interest in a recent travel guide to the solar system.

Then, with Halloween around the corner, we'll talk about spooks, spectres, and science's attempts to understand what happens after death. Is the end of life really The End?  Though conventional scientific wisdom says so, that hasn't stopped researchers around the world  from trying to quantify the soul, explore near-death experiences, and other research into what might come next. Ira talks with Mary Roach, author of the book 'Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife.' Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Dava Sobel
Science Journalist
Author, "The Planets" (Penguin Books, 2006)
New York, New York

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Mary Roach
Author, "Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife" (WW Norton, 2006)
Oakland, California

Books/Articles Discussed:

"The Planets," by Dava Sobel. Penguin Books, 2006.

"Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife," by Mary Roach.(WW Norton, 2006.

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth