Planetary formation. Artwork of numerous small rocky bodies (planetessimals) accreting to form protoplanets (centre right and centre left and lower ce
Planetary formation. Artwork of numerous small rocky bodies (planetessimals) accreting to form protoplanets (centre right and centre left and lower centre) in the early Solar System. The planetessimals were formed by the collision and electrostatic accretion of smaller particles. Later, as seen here, the accretion process was gravitational, with smaller bodies attracted to and impacting on larger bodies. The impact of the planetessimals heated the protoplanets, turning them molten. This is the process by which the Earth and the other inner solar system planets formed around billion years ago.
Size: 5310px × 3304px
Photo credit: © RICHARD BIZLEY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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