EXPLORER -- Part I of the Anthanian Imperative Trilogy. The planet Anthanos is dying. Its orange-red sun is in the early stages of becoming a red giant. As the surface of the sun edges closer and closer, the planet grows hotter and hotter, and the wind is increasing. Eventually the sun will go nova and incinerate the planet and all other planets and moons in the solar system. The only option for the Anthanian population is to colonize another planet well outside their system. Their scientists have discovered another planet about thirty-five light years away - a lovely blue planet with white wispy clouds swirling over its surface. It seems to have all the necessary factors to sustain life, including a suitable temperature, plenty of water, an oxygen-rich atmosphere, and large areas of solid land to live on. So they send their best team to explore, but what those explorers find is much more -- so much more -- than the lovely blue planet they were expecting.