Our understanding of the Solar System has been revolutionized over the past
decade by the finding that the orbits of the planets are inherently chaoti
c. In extreme cases, chaotic motions can change the relative positions of t
he planets around stars, and even eject a planet from a system. Moreover, t
he spin axis of a planet-Earth's spin axis regulates our seasons-may evolve
chaotically, with adverse effects on the climates of otherwise biologicall
y interesting planets. Some of the recently discovered extrasolar planetary
systems contain multiple planets, and it is likely that some of these are
chaotic as well.