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.