Planet formation
Star Formation and planet formation are very similar processes. In fact, star formation starts the formation of planets. After a star forms, leftover gases and debris start to form planets around it.
Our planets formed with the collapsing of clouds of dust and gas within larger clouds called nebulae.
These clouds kept falling in on themselves becoming denser and denser, until they become a small ball.
This ball spins creating a pull, like a whirlpool, that brought in more dust and debris from around them into them causing them to get larger.
The balls are called planetesimals, and are very hot.
Over millions of years the planetesimals collided, growing bigger and bigger and eventually became 9 larger planets
If they cool enough, the planet will be able to contain liquid water, and will be life sustainable.
Earth is the only life sustaining planet in our solar system.
1. What are nebulae?
2. What are the beginnings of planets called?
3. How do planetesmals get bigger?
4. What must a planet do to form liquid water?
5. What planet is the only one in our solar system to hold liquid water?