What does the nebular theory explain?

What does the nebular theory explain?

Currently the best theory is the Nebular Theory . This states that the solar system developed out of an interstellar cloud of dust and gas, called a nebula . The Nebular Theory would have started with a cloud of gas and dust, most likely left over from a previous supernova.

Are the solid planets closer to the Sun?

The four planets closest to the sun —Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—are called terrestrial planets. These planets are solid and rocky like Earth (terra means “earth” in Latin). The four planets that are more distant from the sun—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are called gas giants.

Which planets formed further out from the Sun?

The giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) formed further out, beyond the frost line, which is the point between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where the material is cool enough for volatile icy compounds to remain solid.

How does gravity form the spheres that will become planets within our solar system?

When our Solar System was forming, gravity gathered billions of pieces of gas and dust into clumps which grew larger and larger to become the planets. The force of gravity, pulled this molten material inwards towards the planet’s center into the shape of a sphere. Later, when the planets cooled, they stayed spherical.

How did the planets form around the sun?

The Sun and the planets formed together, 4.6 billion years ago, from a cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula. A shock wave from a nearby supernova explosion probably initiated the collapse of the solar nebula. The Sun formed in the center, and the planets formed in a thin disk orbiting around it.

Which planet is approximately halfway between Pluto’s orbit and the sun?

That line is for Uranus, it is roughly halfway between Pluto and the sun!

How are planets formed outside of the Sun?

Summary: The terrestrial planets formed close to the Sun where temperatures were well suited for rock and metal to condense. The jovian planets formed outside what is called the frost line, where temperatures were low enough for ice condensation. In the previous section, we discussed the formation of a star via the collapse of a big cloud of gas.

Are there any remnants of the formation of the Solar System?

As we have seen, the comets, asteroids, and meteorites are surviving remnants from the processes that formed the solar system. The planets, moons, and the Sun, of course, also are the products of the formation process, although the material in them has undergone a wide range of changes.

What is the chemical pattern of the Solar System?

As we saw in Other Worlds: An Introduction to the Solar System, this general chemical pattern can be interpreted as a temperature sequence: hot near the Sun and cooler as we move outward. The inner parts of the system are generally missing those materials that could not condense (form a solid) at the high temperatures found near the Sun.

How are the motions in the Solar System regular?

There are many regularities to the motions in the solar system. We saw that the planets all revolve around the Sun in the same direction and approximately in the plane of the Sun’s own rotation.