VIEW: Formation of Our Solar System

The Sun and all the objects that are held by the Sun's gravity are known as the solar system. These objects all revolve around the sun. The ancient Greeks though that the Earth was at the center of the universe. Copernicus was the first to propose the idea of a sun-centric universe, where the sun was at the center of the universe and the planets orbit around it. It wasn't until Galileo developed his telescope that people took Copernicus's idea seriously. 

The nebular theory of the formation of our solar system is the leading theory. It describes the formation of the solar system from a big cloud of gas and dust, called a nebula. The gas and dust that formed the nebula was left over from the Big Bang and/or from exploding stars (supernovas). The nebula was drawn together by gravity. 

The following screencast explains the nebular theory. It also provides a description of the differences between the inner & outer planets and why they are composed of different elements and materials.

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