Planetary Science is an exciting, fast-moving, interdisciplinaryfield with courses taught in a wide range of departments, includingastronomy, physics, chemistry, earth sciences and biology.Planets and Planetary Systems is a well-written, conciseintroductory textbook on the science of planets within our own andother solar systems. Keeping mathematics to a minimum, assuming only a rudimentaryknowledge of calculus, the book begins with a description of thebasic properties of the planets in our solar systems, and thenmoves on to compare them with what is known about planets in othersolar systems. It continues by looking at the surfaces, interiorsand atmospheres of the planets and then covers the dynamics andorigin of planetary systems. The book closes with a look at therole of life in planetary systems.· An accessible,concise introduction to planets and planetary systems· Uses insightsfrom all the disciplines underlying planetary science· Incorporatesresults from recent planetary space missions, such as Cassini toSaturn and a number of missions to Mars· Wellillustrated throughout, including a colour plate sectionPlanets and Planetary Systems is invaluable to studentstaking courses in planetary science across a wide range ofdisciplines and of interest to researchers and many keen amateurastronomers, needing an up-to-date introduction to this excitingsubject.