Table of Contents

The Solar System
Planetary Data
Terminology
Formation Theory Parameters
Magnetic Fields
Angular Momentum
Solar System Formation
Questions

Intro to Astronomy
Misconceptions

Archaeoastronomy
Equitorial Coordinates
Understanding the Seasons

Time & Its Measurement

Telescopes  

Solar & Lunar Eclipses

The Earth

The Moon

Mecury, Venus, Mars

The Outer Planets

Solar System Debris

The Sun

Evolution of Stars

Intersteller Matter

Sky Literacy






Characteristics which must be explained by a successful theory of Solar System formation

  1. The sun contains over 99 percent of the mass of the solar system.
  2. The rotational axis of the sun is nearly perpendicular (within 7 degrees) to the plane of the planetary orbits, i.e., the ecliptic. Stated in another way, planetary orbits lie near the plane of the sun's equator.
  3. Planetary orbits all lie near the plane of the ecliptic.
  4. Planetary orbits are nearly circular.
  5. The planets revolve around the sun in the same direction.
  6. Planetary rotations are all direct (counterclockwise) and axial tilts are perpendicular to the plane of the planets' orbits. (Venus, Uranus, and Pluto are exceptions to this rule).
  7. Satellite systems mimic the planetary systems. Most of the satellites revolve in the same direction that their primaries rotate and revolve. Their orbital planes lie near or in the plane of the equators of the planets which they revolve around. (Neptune's Triton is the best exception to this rule. Its orbit is retrograde).
  8. Planetary distances can be mathematically stated through a simple formula known as the Titius-Bode law (1772)--Johann E. Bode and Johann D. Titius. The distances given below are stated in AUs.
      Mer Ven Ear Mar Ast Jup
    Sat
    		Uran Nept Pluto
    Bode-
    0.0
    0.3
    0.6
    1.2
    2.4
    4.8
    9.6
    19.2
    38.4
    76.8
    Titus
    0.4
    0.4
    0.4
    0.4
    0.4
    0.4
    0.4
    0.4
    0.4
    0.4
    Law
    0.4
    0.7
    1.0
    1.6
    2.8
    5.2
    10.0
    19.6
    38.8
    77.2
                         
    Actual
    0.4
    0.7
    1.0
    1.5
    2.8
    5.2
    9.5
    19.2
    30.1
    39.4
  9. There are two major classifications of planets in the solar system: the terrestrials (earth like) and the Jovians (Jupiter like). Between these two groups there are distinct size, mass, density and compositional differences.
  10. Jupiter and Saturn contain 99 percent of the angular momentum of the solar system (the momentum is predominantly orbital). The sun contains only one percent the angular momentum of the solar system.
  11. Comets, asteroids, and meteoroids form distinct classes of objects within the solar system which must be explained. Their orbital eccentricities and inclinations are higher than the planets, while their sizes are smaller.