Artwork showing stages in the formation of the Solar System. At top, the young Sun has just ignited after coalescing under gravity from a cloud of gas and dust. The gas became denser and hotter until nuclear reactions began. Below this, the remaining gas
RMID:Image ID:G15714
Image details
Contributor:
Science History Images / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
G15714File size:
31.9 MB (314.1 KB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
2937 x 3800 px | 24.9 x 32.2 cm | 9.8 x 12.7 inches | 300dpiPhotographer:
Spencer SuttonMore information:
Artwork showing stages in the formation of the Solar System. At top, the young Sun has just ignited after coalescing under gravity from a cloud of gas and dust. The gas became denser and hotter until nuclear reactions began. Below this, the remaining gas and dust (the protoplanetary nebula) form a disc due to the rotation of the cloud. Gas and dust in the cloud coalesce to form planetesimals. These collide and agglomerate to form larger protoplanets, which attract all the remaining matter, leaving just the major planets. It is thought that the Solar System formed around 4.5 billion years ago.