The Solar System (Astronomy & Astrophysics Library)

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. In this second corrected and revised edition students and lecturers in astronomy and planetary science as well as planet observers will find a mine of up-to-date information.