1. Formation of the Solar System: The Solar Nebular Theory

2. The Beginning Swirling cloud of ice, gas, and dust
Mainly hydrogen and helium gases
Revolving counterclockwise

3. Nebula Material came from a nebula- explosion of an old star
Gathered in center to make a protostar
Once able to create nuclear fusion- became the sun

4. Planets Formed as clumps hit and stuck together
Formed planetismals- a few km across
Eventually formed the planets

5. Lighter and Heavier Elements
When sun formed, solar wind pushed out lighter elements
Destroyed first atmospheres of the inner planets
Reason Jovian planets so large and made of gas

6. Evidence for Theory
1. All planets revolve counterclockwise, like sun’s rotation
2. Most planets rotate clockwise (except Venus and Uranus)
3. Most in same plane as the sun
Pattern in spacing of planets
- Asteroid belt- a planet?

7. What Resulted

8. What Resulted

9. What Resulted

10. Ways We’ve Studied the Solar System
Space Shuttle
Space Missions
Voyager
Cassini
Galileo
Messenger
Pathfinder
Spirit and Opportunity
Deep Impact
Rarely Seen Shuttle Activity
NEAR Video
Mars Phoenix Lander

11. 10 surprises about our solar system