ESCI A.S1.O1.A9 Nebular Theory

Describe the nebular theory of solar system formation and the evidence supporting it (e.g., solar system structure due to gravity, motion and temperature; composition and age of meteorites; observations of newly forming stars).

Our solar system was born in a cloud, a nebula to be precise. Nebula is just the latin word for a little cloud or mist. In the early days of modern astronomy, telescopes were not very good at showing the details in dim, distant objects. So the word nebula was used for nearly anything that wasn't a star or planet. As our technology improved, so did our views of the universe. As an example, look at the picture to the left. It was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and is a small part of what is known as Messier 16 - The Eagle Nebula. This picture was titled "The Pillars of Creation" because it shows a region where many stars are forming inside that nebula of dust and debris.

Our own solar system formed in a similar way in a nebula that had a lot in common with that picture. In the four and a half billion years since, the gas and dust have been blown away into space by the constant solar wind emitted by our sun, but if you were able to pull out an old photo album and take a look at the "baby pictures" of our own solar system, they would look a lot like that photo of the Eagle Nebula.

I am including a link to two short videos that do a good job of explaining how our nebula changed into a sun surrounded by orbiting planets. 

ESCI A.S1.O1.A9 Stephen Hawking - Formation of the Solar System VID  Links to an external site.

ESCI A.S1.O1.A9 Solar Nebular Theory Summary VID Links to an external site.  

Lastly, this simulation shows the relationship between density and temperature of a collapsing nebula. 
http://www.astro.ex.ac.uk/people/mbate/Cluster/Animations/BBB2003_RT05_264.mov Links to an external site.

Your assignment is the following: Use the diagram below of a forming solar system. In the text box label A, B, C, and D and write an explanation of what is happening at each stage based on the information given in the video clips.