In recent years, there has been increased interest in our Solar System. This has been prompted by the launching of giant orbiting telescopes and space probes, the discovery of new planetary moons and heavenly bodies that orbit the Sun, and the demotion of Pluto as a planet. In one generation, our place in the heavens has been challenged, but this is not unusual. Throughout history, there have been a number of such world views. Initially, Earth was seen as the center of the universe and surrounded by orbiting planets and stars. Then the Sun became the center of the cosmos. Finally, there was no center, just a vast array of galaxies with individual stars, some with their own retinue of planets. This allowed our Solar System to be differentiated from deep-sky objects, but it didn't lose its mystery as more and more remarkable bodies were discovered within its boundaries.
World views and the solar system -- Earth-centered world views in classical Europe -- Non-European world views -- Earth-centered world views in the Middle Ages and Renaissance -- Sun-centered and hybrid world views -- No center : an unbounded universe and the plurality of worlds -- Our expanding solar system : planets and moons -- Our expanding solar system : Pluto, asteroids, and the far reaches -- Popularizing the solar system in the early United States -- Space age images of the solar system.