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Simultaneous Planet and Sun Formation Evidence
Name: Christie
Status: student
Grade: 9-12
Location: SC
Country: USA
Date: May 2, 2011
Question:
What specific evidence indicates that the planets formed at the same time as the sun?
Replies:
Dear Christie,
That is a very good question. The ignition of the Sun followed a
slow process of condensation of the solar nebula, which was forming
the sun at the center and the planets in the outskirts. Our
nascent solar system pretty well formed at the same time, according
to current theories. The planets were gaseous-- the smaller one
condensed from rock while the outer, bigger ones were mostly
gaseous. There were many, many impacts as part of this process; one
formed our Moon while another put Uranus on its side.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely
David H. Levy
Christie
I do not think there is evidence that indicates that the planets and sun
formed at the same time.
And what do you mean by "the same time?" At solar system forming level time
frames what is the meaning of a day, a week, or a month?
I believe the process was that a turbulent gas cloud made of raw matter
started to mutually attract each other due to the gravity of the matter and
they accreted (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/accreted) into smaller
bodies and then into larger and larger bodies until the bodies solidified
into our present solar system and, given this process, I do not think it
could be said that all of the planets and the sun formed at exactly the same
time.
Sincere regards,
Mike Stewart
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