太陽系の成り立ちや構成についてわかりやすく解説した入門書です。惑星、衛星、小惑星、彗星など、それぞれの特徴を写真などを用いて詳しく説明するとともに、近年目覚ましく進歩したこの分野の研究成果と、それに伴う研究者たちの困難などについても紹介します。
  

• Provides an overview of our Solar System and its origins, nature, and evolution
• Considers controversial issues, such as what qualifies as a planet
• Looks at different types of Solar System objects, such as asteroids, Trans-Neptunian objects, and exoplanets
• Demonstrates the excitement, uncertainties, and challenges faced by planetary scientists

 
This Very Short Introduction looks deep into space and describes the worlds that make up our Solar System: terrestrial planets, giant planets, dwarf planets and various other objects such as satellites (moons), asteroids and Trans-Neptunian objects. It considers how our knowledge has advanced over the centuries, and how it has expanded at a growing rate in recent years. 

David A. Rothery gives an overview of the origin, nature, and evolution of our Solar System, including the controversial issues of what qualifies as a planet, and what conditions are required for a planetary body to be habitable by life. He looks at rocky planets and the Moon, giant planets and their satellites, and how the surfaces have been sculpted by geology, weather, and impacts.
 
 
Reading Guide
This Very Short Introduction discusses the nature of planets, gas giants, and their rings and moons. It also looks beyond Pluto, in the Kuiper Belt, at the knowledge we have about planets around other stars. With many striking photos to illustrate the details, it demonstrates the unique world of every planet