Solar System/Planet Formation and Structure: Difference between revisions
Briefly summarized Core Accretion and Disk Instability |
m I just added that a 1000 years is short only relative to planets |
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=== Disk Instability === | === Disk Instability === | ||
Disk Instability is the theory that planets form from spinning disks of material that accumulates so much mass, it violently collapses on itself and forms a planet. This is a quick process, taking just thousands of years. | Disk Instability is the theory that planets form from spinning disks of material that accumulates so much mass, it violently collapses on itself and forms a planet. This is a quick process (speaking relatively), taking just thousands of years. | ||
Revision as of 22:05, 2 December 2025
Core Accretion and Disk Instability
The 2 main/most common theories for planet formation are disk instability and core accretion.
Core Accretion
Core Accretion is the theory that planets form from small particles gathering together and forming lumps that accumulate more and more mass. This process is slow, taking millions of years.
Disk Instability
Disk Instability is the theory that planets form from spinning disks of material that accumulates so much mass, it violently collapses on itself and forms a planet. This is a quick process (speaking relatively), taking just thousands of years.