solar systems

Nebular Hypothesis

A theory that explains the formation of the solar system, stating that a rotating cloud of interstellar gas collapses and flattens to form a disk.

Meteorites

Leftover material from the young solar system that contains clues about solar system formation.

Extrasolar Planet

A body with a mass less than 13 Jupiter masses that orbits a star other than the sun.

Radial Velocity Method

A technique for finding extrasolar planets by observing the Doppler shift in a star's spectrum as a planet orbits it.

Transiting Method

A technique for detecting extrasolar planets by measuring the decrease in brightness of a star when a planet passes in front of it.

Accretion Disk

A rotating disk of gas and dust formed from material collapsing under gravity, leading to planet formation.

Types of Exoplanets

Categories of planets outside our solar system, including terrestrial, Neptune-like, super-Earths, and gas giants.

Comparative Planetology

The study of comparing common properties across different planets.

Giant Impact Hypothesis

Current leading theory explaining the formation of the moon, suggesting it was created from debris after a Mars-sized body impacted Earth.

Radiometric Dating

A method used to determine the age of rocks using the decay of radioactive isotopes.