Our solar system originated from the accumulation of particles condensed from gasses ejected by stars, such as red giants and supernova explosions.

These particles accumulated into a cloud of dispersed matter or nebula. Particles were attracted to each other due to the force of gravity which caused this matter to condense. As it condensed it became a rotating disc and temperatures rose. Most of the material formed a central bulge that condensed into a central star, the Sun. In case you would like to know How the Sun Shines- click here.

The rest formed a thin rotating disc of matter from which planets and asteroids formed.  The details of the origin are outlined at The Nine Planets, a multimedia tour of the solar system that provides an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in our solar system.

Return to class page on the solar system