Solar System Formation

Front

How old is our solar system?

Back

4.6 billion years

Front

A celestial cloud of dust and gas is called . . .

Back

nebula

Front

A massive explosion of a star is called . . .

Back

supernova

Front

What caused the solar nebula to contract and spin? Options: a supernova, an asteroid impact, radiation, random motion

Back

a supernova

Front

What celestial body eventually evolved into our modern solar system? Options: a nebula, a supernova, a quasar, a galaxy

Back

a nebula

Front

When the solar nebula spun out into a disc-shape, what direction did it start spinning?

Back

counter-clockwise

Front

Smaller particles collecting together into larger and larger objects is called . . .

Back

accretion

Front

Does the gravity of planets cause them to migrate slowly over time?

Back

Yes, and they are STILL moving!

Front

When the inner planets (and moons) were bombarded by asteroids, what did the asteroids leave behind?

Back

craters

Front

Why is Mercury covered with craters, but Earth is not?

Back

Earth's atmosphere protects and weathers.