Artwork of Formation of the Solar SystemBy Chris Butler

Solar system formation Artwork representing the formation of a planetary system around a star based upon the nebular hypothesis According to this model a solar system derives from the contraction of a rotating discshaped nebula consisting of hydrogen helium and dust particles The contraction may be triggered by shock waves from a nearby supernova explosion or by the mutual gravitational attraction of the contents of the nebula The central part of the nebula collapses into a protostar lower right Collisions between dust grains in the outer regions of the nebula lead to the formation of bodies that develop into planets by accretion