This book is one in the series on Aerospace Education I. It briefly reviews current knowledge of the universe, the earth and its life-supporting atmosphere, and the arrangement of celestial bodies in outer space and their physical characteristics. Chapter 1 includes a brief survey of the aerospace environment. Chapters 2 and 3 examine the composition of the earth's atmosphere, global weather patterns, and the role played by various forces in producing weather. Chapter 4 includes recent findings on the surface characteristics and features of the Moon. The final chapter contains a brief description of the instruments used by astronomers and examines the worlds of interplanetary, interstellar, and intergalactic space. The book is designed for use in the Air Force Junior ROTC program. (PS)