About 4. 6 billion years ago, the Solar System formed from a cloud of dust and gas collapsing in on itself due to gravity.

The timing of Earth's early formation points to a planet that started out dry. So, life’s essential building blocks arrived ...

Are planets in the solar system that are closer to the Sun older than the ones further away? – Gavriel, age 10, Paducah, Kentucky A cloud of collapsing gas created our Sun, the first thing to form in ...

Tiny shavings from a single meteorite could completely overturn our understanding of how the solar system formed, after the space rock turned out to be older than expected. Previous research suggests ...

Our solar system is a smashing success. A new study suggests that from its earliest period—even before the last of its nebular gas had been consumed—Earth's solar system and its planets looked more ...

The Sun's formation caused temperature differences in the surrounding disk of gas and dust. Inner, hotter regions formed rocky planets from less volatile elements. Outer, colder regions allowed ...

Stephen has degrees in science (Physics major) and arts (English Literature and the History and Philosophy of Science), as well as a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication. Stephen has degrees in ...

The asteroid belt may seem permanent, but it is far from static. Its slow decline reveals a more violent past when more ...

Outside our own solar system, the first moments of planet formation have never been detected, until now. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) said the images are of a "baby star" known as HOPS-315 ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like ...