HOW DID THE SOLAR SYSTEM ORIGINATE?

In the past, people did not know that the earth had a round shape, They thought that it was flat and that the stars circled over our heads. They also thought that at the edges of the earth the oceans poured into darkness where monsters lurked around.

It was in 1543 A.D. that Nicolaus Copernicus put forth the idea that the earth is round and it revolves round the sun. It was at this time that the modern astronomy was born. Different theories appeared about how the solar system had its origin.

MONISTIC THEORY

This theory is based on the view that the solar system originated from a single flat cloud of gas called the solar nebula. The scientists supporting this theory are divided in their opinions on whether the solar system originated all at once or slowly. This theory was put forward during the 1600’ A.D.

DUALISTIC THEORY

This theory is based on the belief that the solar system was formed when a large star-like object passed by the sun. This object had a larger gravity than that of the sun. So, it pulled off a long stream (tide) of gas from the sun. It was from this stream of gas that the planets came to be formed. This theory was first put forward during the 1700 s A.D.

But since the mid-1900's, new explanations have helped our scientists know more about the origin of the solar system. It has come to be believed now that our galaxy-the Milky Way-is at least twice as old as our solar system.

Study of the solar system is going on and newer facts are being discovered about it. Study of the planets is sure to add a lot to our knowledge about them and the sun itself too.

As mentioned earlier, there may be other solar systems in our own galaxy and in other galaxies as well. It is for the astronomers to make researches in these fields. At present, we should try to know more and more about our own solar system which is so vast indeed.