FORMATION OF THE FORMATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEMSOLAR SYSTEM

Chapter 28.3Chapter 28.3

Began as a solar nebulaBegan as a solar nebula

Cloud of gas and dustCloud of gas and dust 4 to 5 billion years ago4 to 5 billion years ago Fusion began in center SUN!Fusion began in center SUN!

– Triggered by a nearby supernova?Triggered by a nearby supernova?– Sun is 99% of the matter in the SSSun is 99% of the matter in the SS

Solar nebulaSolar nebula

Current dust cloud around a starCurrent dust cloud around a star

Formation of planetsFormation of planets

Dust is attracted to other dust Dust is attracted to other dust making PLANETESIMALS (baby making PLANETESIMALS (baby planets)planets)

Planetesimals get larger by their Planetesimals get larger by their gravitational pull attracting more gravitational pull attracting more matter creating PLANETSmatter creating PLANETS

accreationaccreation

Formation of planetisimalFormation of planetisimal

Planetesimal forming into a planetPlanetesimal forming into a planet

Rings will eventually coalesce to Rings will eventually coalesce to become planetsbecome planets

Formation of planets (cont.)Formation of planets (cont.)

Heavier elements stayed closer to the Heavier elements stayed closer to the sunsun– Rocky planetsRocky planets– Mercury, Venus, Mars, EarthMercury, Venus, Mars, Earth

Lighter elements went farther from Lighter elements went farther from sunsun– Gas planetsGas planets– Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, NeptuneJupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Leftovers at the outer edge of Leftovers at the outer edge of the SSthe SS

Kuiper beltKuiper belt Oort cloudOort cloud