ASTR 1000 Final: Formation of The Solar System
Document Summary
The formation of the solar system we live in was created through a long process. It started with a nebula collapsing, which started the process of creating a star and in turn the planets that orbit it. While many solar systems have been created, they most likely all follow the same process, although possibly with differences in their late heavy bombardment. A nebula is a cloud consisting of interstellar gas and interstellar dust. Not every nebula is the beginning of a solar system, it must be in the right conditions. Within the nebula there must be a molecular cloud. A molecular cloud is the only place where atoms can start to combine due to the high density and cold temperature. The high density prevents light photons from breaking the molecules apart. As well, colder temperatures prevent molecules from breaking up from the strong constant collisions that happen in hot areas of the nebula.
