Solar system formation. Artwork of the early Sun when it was still a protostar about billion years ago. The Sun is surrounded by an inter- stellar
Solar system formation. Artwork of the early Sun when it was still a protostar about billion years ago. The Sun is surrounded by an inter- stellar cloud (nebula) of glowing dust and gas. The Sun was created by the gravitational collapse of this nebula which was possibly triggered by shock waves from a nearby exploding star (supernova). As the nebula condensed, its parti- cles converted their gravitational potential energy into heat. The proto-Sun became so hot that nuclear reactions started in its core and it became a true star. The planets formed in the outer areas of the nebula.
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Photo credit: © DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: accretion, astronomy, cosmology, formation, hypothesis, nebular, planet, planetary, planets, protostar, science, solar, star, sun, system
