The Solar System

This text treats our knowledge of the solar system from an astrophysical point of view. Part 1 deals with the formation of the solar system and its interaction with the interplanetary medium. Part 2 presents its various objects: planets and satellites, asteroids, comets and interplanetary dust. The final sections on comparative planetology, open questions and future space exploration round off an introduction to a field which has grown dramatically following the space missions of the last fifteen years. Students and lecturers in astronomy and planetary science as well as observers will find a mine of information in this concise text.