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, trans-neptunian objects and interplanetary dust. The final sections on extrasolar planetary systems and on the search for life in the Universe round off an introduction to a field that has grown dramatically following the space missions of the last twenty years.

Over the last decade many exciting observations have helped to reshape our understanding of the solar system and planetary science. In the third corrected and revised edition of this classic on the astrophysics of our solar system, students and lecturers in astronomy and planetary science as well as planet observers will find a mine of up-to-date information.

Klappentext

In this third 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 on the solar system and its interaction with the interplanetary medium, its various objects, comparative planetology, discussion of questions for further research and future space exploration.

Inhalt

1 General Features of the Solar System.- 2 The Solar System Within the Universe.- 3 Methods of Studying the Solar System.- 4 The Formation of the Solar System.- 5 The Interaction of Solar-System Bodies with the Interplanetary Medium.- 6 The Terrestrial Planets and Their Satellites.- 7 The Asteroids.- 8 The Giant Planets.- 9 Titan.- 10 Bodies Without Atmospheres in the Outer Solar System.- 11 Comets.- 12 New Frontiers.- 13 Interplanetary Dust, Micrometeorites and Meteorites.- 14 New Planetary Systems.- 15 The Search for Life in the Universe.- References.