This comprehensive, broad-based and authoritative survey of discoveries in planetary astronomy and geology synthesis contains many important results from space exploration programs such as Viking Studies on Mars, geological results from studies of lunar rocks, probes of Venus, and photographs of such satellites as Phobs, Ganymede, Io, Mimas, and Rhea. The material, organized in an evolutionary fashion, covers such topics as a general review of planets and their orbital dynamics, discussions of their origins, interiors, surface features and atmospheres, and problems of life's evolution on other worlds. Optional mathematics sections allow flexibility in the level of presentation. Numerous photographs and drawings are included as well as a detailed bibliography of recently published research. This book should be of interest to students on courses in astronomy.