Solar Nebula Theory
By: Madi Kirkhove and MacKenna Milhon
What is the Solar Nebula Theory?
The most widely accepted model explaining the formation and evolution of our solar system. It was originally applied to our solar system only but, this method of planetary system formation is now thought to hold true throughout the universe.
What does the SNT state?
The Solar Nebular Hypothesis describes the formation of our Solar System from a nebula cloud made from a collection of dust and gas. It is believed that the sun, planets, moons and asteroids were formed around the same time around 4.5 billion years ago from a nebula.
Who discovered the SNT theory?
The nebular hypothesis was developed first during the 18th century by Emanuel Swedenborg, Immanuel Kant, and Pierre-Simon Laplace. Immanuel argued that gaseous clouds (nebulae), which turn slowly, calmly collapse and flatten due to the gravity they eventually form stars and planets. Laplace’s proposed a similar model in which a protosolar cloud (a nebular cloud) contracted and cooled, flattening and shedding rings of material in the process which later collapsed to form the planets.