Solar System

Formation of our Solar System

Most of the mass of the cloud coalesced to form the sun. Dust condensed from the gases remaining in the flattened cloud, and the dust clumped into planets.

Planets of our Solar System

• The compositions of the planets formed depended largely on how near they were to the hot sun
  • The nearest planets to the sun contained mainly metallic iron, a few very high temperature minerals, and little water or gas.
  • Farther from the sun, the planets incorporated much larger amounts of low temperature minerals, liquid water, and condensed gases.

Rocky / Terrestrial Planets

• Solid, rocky surface and dense metallic core

Gaseous / Jovian Planets

• Large and gaseous with a small molten rock core

Weren't there 9 planets?

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union downgraded Pluto to a Dwarf Planet because it didn’t meet all 3 of the ‘planet’ criteria.

Biggest recent news of space exploration?

James Webb Telescope launched Christmas Day 2021 after 30 years and $10 Billion of investment.