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Theory of Planetary System FormationObservations and theoretical considerations support the idea that the Solar System formed by the collapse of tenuous interstellar matter to a disk of gas and dust (the primitive solar nebula), from which the Sun and other components separated under the action of dissipative forces and by the coagulation of solid material. Thus, planets are understood to be contemporaneous byproducts of star formation. Because the circumstellar disks of new stars are easier to observe than mature planetary systems, the possibility arises that the nature and variety of planets might be studied from observations of the conditions of their birth. A useful theory of planetary system formation would therefore relate the properties of circumstellar disks both to the initial conditions of star formation and to the consequent properties of planets to those of the disk. Although the broad outlines of such a theory are in place, many aspects are either untested, controversial, or otherwise unresolved; even the degree to which such a comprehensive theory is possible remains unknown.
Document ID
19970025396
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cassen, Patrick
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Astrobiology Workshop: Leadership in Astrobiology
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
97N24950
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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