Solar System FormationSolar System Formation

Interstellar Cloud CollapsesInterstellar Cloud Collapses This cloud is called a nebulaThis cloud is called a nebula Contains Hydrogen (92%), Helium (7%) and Contains Hydrogen (92%), Helium (7%) and

less than one percent other materialsless than one percent other materials Why?Why?

• Not knownNot known• Heat and Pressure Drop and Loses Against Heat and Pressure Drop and Loses Against

GravityGravity

Solar System FormationSolar System Formation

Center of Mass Forms a Star, Additional Center of Mass Forms a Star, Additional Mass is attracted towards the center and Mass is attracted towards the center and form a nebulaform a nebula Rotational Speed of the Cloud IncreasesRotational Speed of the Cloud Increases Think Figure SkaterThink Figure Skater

Star and Planet FormationStar and Planet Formation

The Spinning Nebula Flattens in a DiskThe Spinning Nebula Flattens in a Disk Think Pizza DoughThink Pizza Dough

Planets Form from the Disk of Gas and Planets Form from the Disk of Gas and DustDust PlanetesimalsPlanetesimals

• Small irregular shape bodiesSmall irregular shape bodies

Formation of PlanetsFormation of Planets

InnerInner High TempsHigh Temps Only Metals (Fe and Only Metals (Fe and

Silicates) SolidifiedSilicates) Solidified Small, because of the Small, because of the

sun’s gravitational pullsun’s gravitational pull

OuterOuter Cold TempsCold Temps Ices of Ammonia, Ices of Ammonia,

Methane, Carbon Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Water Dioxide and Water where able to solidifywhere able to solidify

Became large enough Became large enough to capture the to capture the remaining He and remaining He and HydrogenHydrogen

Orion NebulaOrion Nebula

Eagle NebulaEagle Nebula

Lagoon NebulaLagoon Nebula

Horse Head NebulaHorse Head Nebula

Asteroids Asteroids

Large Rocks Orbiting the SunLarge Rocks Orbiting the Sun Most are Found in the Asteroid Belt Most are Found in the Asteroid Belt

Between Mars and JupiterBetween Mars and Jupiter Why do we have a Asteroid Belt?Why do we have a Asteroid Belt?

Most Scientist Believe that the Asteroid Belt is Most Scientist Believe that the Asteroid Belt is made up of remnants of a planet that would of made up of remnants of a planet that would of formed had it not been for Jupiterformed had it not been for Jupiter

Solar System DebrisSolar System Debris

Meteors and AsteroidsMeteors and Asteroids Meteor: Bright Streak of Lights in the SkyMeteor: Bright Streak of Lights in the Sky Meteoroid: the Particles that Bring About the Meteoroid: the Particles that Bring About the

LightLight Meteorites: Are the Remnants of a Meteoroid Meteorites: Are the Remnants of a Meteoroid

found on Earthfound on Earth

Properties and StatsProperties and Stats

FrequencyFrequency 300 tons of Extraterrestrial Rock and Dust Fall 300 tons of Extraterrestrial Rock and Dust Fall

on Earth Each Dayon Earth Each Day Usually you Can See a Meteor once Every Usually you Can See a Meteor once Every

Several Minutes on any Given NightSeveral Minutes on any Given Night 3 Types3 Types

Stony 94%Stony 94% Irons 5%Irons 5% Stony Irons 1%Stony Irons 1%

CometsComets

Dirty SnowballsDirty Snowballs 1-10 km in Diameter1-10 km in Diameter Orbit the Sun, Produce a “Tail” When they Orbit the Sun, Produce a “Tail” When they

get within 3 AU of the Sunget within 3 AU of the Sun Tail Points Away from the SunTail Points Away from the Sun Two Types of CometsTwo Types of Comets

Short Period (Orbital Period < 200yrs)Short Period (Orbital Period < 200yrs) Long Period (Orbital Period > 200yrs)Long Period (Orbital Period > 200yrs)

Anatomy of a CometAnatomy of a Comet

Typical Comet OrbitTypical Comet Orbit

Comet Hale Bopp 1997Comet Hale Bopp 1997

Comet Hale BoppComet Hale Bopp

Comets StatsComets Stats EccentricityEccentricity

0.9950.995

Orbital PeriodOrbital Period 2537 Years2537 Years

Next VisitNext Visit 43804380

Haley’s Comet 1986Haley’s Comet 1986

Comets StatsComets Stats EccentricityEccentricity

0.9670.967

PeriodPeriod 76 Years76 Years 20612061

CometsComets

Oort CloudOort Cloud 100,000 AU from the Solar System100,000 AU from the Solar System Long Period CometsLong Period Comets Orbital Periods Greater than a Million YearsOrbital Periods Greater than a Million Years

Oort CloudOort Cloud

CometsComets

Kupier BeltKupier Belt 30-500 AU30-500 AU 35,000 objects with Diameters Greater than 35,000 objects with Diameters Greater than

100km100km Short Period Comets Originate From HereShort Period Comets Originate From Here Haley’s CometHaley’s Comet

Kupier BeltKupier Belt

Fate of CometsFate of Comets

Each Time a Comet Passes about 1% of Each Time a Comet Passes about 1% of the nucleus is burned offthe nucleus is burned off

Dust Particles Break Off, if Earth’s Orbit Dust Particles Break Off, if Earth’s Orbit intersects comets orbit, We Experience intersects comets orbit, We Experience Meteor ShowersMeteor Showers

If Pass Very Shortly After the Comet If Pass Very Shortly After the Comet Passes, We Experience a Meteor StormPasses, We Experience a Meteor Storm

Famous Meteor ShowersFamous Meteor Showers

ShowerShower DatesDates CometComet

LyridsLyrids April 20 -23April 20 -23 Comet 1861 IComet 1861 I

EtaEta May 3 – 5May 3 – 5 Halley’sHalley’s

PerseidsPerseids Aug. 12Aug. 12 Comet 1862 IIIComet 1862 III

OrionidsOrionids Oct 20Oct 20 Halley’s CometHalley’s Comet

TauridsTaurids Nov. 3 – 13Nov. 3 – 13 Comet EnckeComet Encke

LeonidsLeonids Nov. 18Nov. 18 Comet 1866 IComet 1866 I

Shoemaker Levy 9 Jul/Aug 94Shoemaker Levy 9 Jul/Aug 94

SL9 Cont’dSL9 Cont’d

Meteor ShowerMeteor Shower