This volume covers most areas in the physics of the solar system, with special emphasis on gravitational dynamics; its gist is the rational, in particular mathematical, understanding of the main processes at work. Special stress is given to the variety of objects in the planetary system and their long-term evolution. The unique character of this book is its breadth and depth, which aims at bringing the reader to the threshold of original research; however, special chapters and introductory sections are included for the benefit of the beginner.

Physics of the Solar System is based on the earlier work by B. Bertotti and P. Farinella: Physics of the Earth and the Solar System, which has been completely revised and updated, and more focused on the solar system. It generally attains a higher level than the previous version. This volume is generally suitable for post-graduate students and researchers in physics, especially in the field related to the solar system. A large amount of figures and diagrams is included, often compiled with real data.

From the reviews:

.."...The book is a very good balance between theory and applications, of analysis and synthesis, keeping always the focus on the comprehension of the physics ruling our planetary system.

In summary, this represents both an excellent textbook for students and a fundamental reference, and encyclopedic summary current knowledge, for researchers in the Solar System field." (Alessandro Rossi, Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy, 2005)

The Tenth International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation (GR10) was held from July 3 to July 8, 1983, in Padova, Italy. These Conferences take place every three years, under the auspices of the International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation, with the purpose of assessing the current research in the field, critically discussing the prog ress made and disclosing the points of paramount im portance which deserve further investigations. The Conference was attended by about 750 scientists active in the various subfields in which the current research on gravitation and general relativity is ar ticulated, and more than 450 communications were sub mitted. In order to fully exploit this great occur rence of experience and creative capacity, and to pro mote individual contributions to the collective know ledge, the Conference was given a structure of work shops on the most active topics and of general sessions in which the Conference was addressed by invited speakers on general reviews or recent major advance ments of the field. The individual communications were collected in a two-volume publication made available to the participants upon their arrival and widely distributed to Scientific Institutions and Research Centres."

From the reviews:

.."...The book is a very good balance between theory and applications, of analysis and synthesis, keeping always the focus on the comprehension of the physics ruling our planetary system.

In summary, this represents both an excellent textbook for students and a fundamental reference, and encyclopedic summary current knowledge, for researchers in the Solar System field." (Alessandro Rossi, Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy, 2005)

This book is a direct sequel to: B. Bcrtotri and P. Farinclla, "Physics of the Earth and the Solar System, Dynamics and Evolution. Space Navigation. Spa cc-Time Structure" (Kluwcr Academic Publishers, 1990). Nearly 15 years af tcr its publication it became evident that the volume was in need of a new edition to keep up with the outstanding progress and the changing perspectives in this field. David Vokrouhlicky agreed to collaborate on the project and be the third author. On March 25, 2000. after a tong illness and a heart transplant. Paolo Farinella passed away. We then decided that. rather than aiming at a second edition, it made more sense to rewrite the book anew. While its basic content and the structure of the chapters are the same, important new topics have been added, including the extrasolar planetary systems, transneptunian objects. accurate determination of reference frames and new space projects. Greater relevance has been given to scmiquantitarive discussions before intro ducing formal developments: many figures have been added and updated and several errors corrected. More emphasis has given to the solar system, whereas geophysical topics have been left at a less advanced level. To mark this change the slightly differ ent title "Physics of the Solar System" was chosen. We wish to dedicate this book to the memory of Paolo Farinella. an out standing scientist, an invaluable collaborator and a dear friend."