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Solar Nebula Theory

Solar Nebula Theory. Things to consider. How old are the atoms in your body? Where did these atoms (elements) come from?. Star Formation. We know that stars are formed from large nebulas (clouds of hydrogen gas and other elements) Stars usually form in small clusters

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Solar Nebula Theory

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  1. Solar Nebula Theory

  2. Things to consider • How old are the atoms in your body? • Where did these atoms (elements) come from?

  3. Star Formation • We know that stars are formed from large nebulas (clouds of hydrogen gas and other elements) • Stars usually form in small clusters • Stars are constantly forming (and dying) • This process has been well studied using the Hubble Space Telescope

  4. Extra-Solar Planets (Exoplanets) • In the last ten years 1000’s of planets have been discovered orbiting other Stars. • Most are Jupiter size or larger (because they are easier to detect). • Improved satellites are now allowing us to detect smaller rocky planets. • Many planets have been discovered in the nebula (gas clouds) surrounding newly formed stars

  5. Creation of the Solar System • We know that the Sun and Earth were created 4.5 billion years ago from the same solar nebula. • The early solar system was very chaotic • Many collisions between planets and asteroids • No life on Earth (no oceans or oxygen atmosphere) • The evidence: • Study of asteroids, comets, and meteorites (oldest members of the solar system) • Moon rocks from Apollo Moon missions

  6. Solar Nebula Theory • Nebula begins to collapse due to gravity • As nebula collapses it begins to rotate and flatten • Most of the mass collects in the center to form a star • Remaining gas and dust in the disk begins to stick together (static and gravity) to form many small planets and asteroids • Larger planets are formed through collisions • Eventually only a few planets are left with most of the orbits clear of debris.

  7. Creation of the Moon • Moon was created 4.2 billion years ago • A Mars sized planet collided with the Earth • Evidence: • Moon rocks returned by Apollo are identical to Earth crust • Moon has very little iron core material • Note, most other moons are captured asteroids and dwarf planets. • Video

  8. Activity • Refer to pages 333 to 335 of the textbook. • Draw a diagram of the stages of the formation of the Sun and the solar system. • List three pieces of evidence that support the solar nebula theory. • Predict the age of Jupiter and its moons.

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