Is Our Solar System Unique

Page
3

Here’s what stars

look like with a

spectrograph.

What would it

look like with

a disk around it?

Slide 27

In reality, disks are very hard to image.

Why do you think this is?

So we usually use spectroscopy to study disks.

Disks produce infrared light (just like planets)

Here’s what stars

look like with a

spectrograph.

What would it

look like with

a disk around it?

Slide 28

Our theory: What do we think now?

Solar system formation begins because of gravity - most stuff ends up in the sun

A disk is formed because of rotation

Planet cores form in the disk because

rocks hit and/or gravitationally attract each other

If there’s ice around (> 5 AU from the star, where it’s cold) the cores are bigger. If big enough, they’ll suck gas out of the disk and form giant planets

Moons form via collision or capture or in mini disks

Slide 29

Ways to Find Out

Look at our own solar system, and think about how it might have formed

Look at other solar systems while they form

Look for and study other solar systems

Create computer models and see if you can produce a solar system

Slide 30

Ways to Find Out

Look at our own solar system, and think about how it might have formed

Look at other solar systems while they form

Look for and study other solar systems

Create computer models and see if you can produce a solar system

Slide 31

http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~microfun/ob06109/

Slide 32

Slide 33

Ways to Find Out

Look at our own solar system, and think about how it might have formed

Look at other solar systems while they form

Look for and study other solar systems

Create computer models and see if you can produce a solar system

Slide 34

Our theory: What do we think now?

Solar system formation begins because of gravity - most stuff ends up in the sun

A disk is formed because of rotation

Planet cores form in the disk because

rocks hit and/or gravitationally attract each other

If there’s ice around (> 5 AU from the star, where it’s cold) the cores are bigger. If big enough, they’ll suck gas out of the disk and form giant planets

Moons form via collision or capture or in mini disks