Table of Contents

Part 1 The general background: The structure of the solar system. Observations and theories of star formation. What should a theory explain? Part 2 Setting the theoretical scene: Theories up to 1960. Part 3 Current theories: A brief survey of modern theories. The Sun, planets and satellites. Planetary orbits and angular momentum. A planetary collision. The Moon. Smaller planets and irregular satellites. Asteroids, meteorites and comets. Part 4 The current state of theories: Comparisons of the main theories. Appendices.