solar system: Origin of the Solar System

Besides explaining the birth of the sun, planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, a theory of the origin of the solar system must explain the chemical and physical differences of the planets; their orbital regularities, i.e., why they lie almost on the same plane and revolve in the same direction in nearly circular orbits; and also account for the relative angular momentum of the sun and planets arising from their rotational and orbital motions.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Contemporary Theories
• The Planetesimal and Tidal Theories
• The Nebular Hypothesis
• Origin of the Solar System
• Physical Properties
• Planetary Motion
• The Planets
• Bibliography

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