The Origin and Evolution of the Solar System

The Origin and Evolution of the Solar System
Author :
Publisher : CRC Press
Total Pages : 450
Release :
ISBN-10 : 1420033352
ISBN-13 : 9781420033359
Rating : 4/5 (52 Downloads)

Synopsis The Origin and Evolution of the Solar System by : Michael M. Woolfson

The origin of the solar system has been a matter of speculation for many centuries, and since the time of Newton it has been possible to apply scientific principles to the problem. A succession of theories, starting with that of Pierre Laplace in 1796, has gained general acceptance, only to fall from favor due to its contradiction in some basic scientific principle or new heavenly observation. Modern observations by spacecraft of the solar system, the stars, and extra-solar planetary systems continuously provide new information that may be helpful in finding a plausible theory as well as present new constraints for any such theory to satisfy. The Origin and Evolution of the Solar System begins by describing historical (pre-1950) theories and illustrating why they became unacceptable. The main part of the book critically examines five extant theories, including the current paradigm, the solar nebula theory, to determine how well they fit with accepted scientific principles and observations. This analysis shows that the solar nebula theory satisfies the principles and observational constraints no better than its predecessors. The capture theory put forward by the author fares better and also indicates an initial scenario leading to a causal series of events that explain all the major features of the solar system.

Formation Of The Solar System, The: Theories Old And New (2nd Edition)

Formation Of The Solar System, The: Theories Old And New (2nd Edition)
Author :
Publisher : World Scientific
Total Pages : 441
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781783265244
ISBN-13 : 1783265248
Rating : 4/5 (44 Downloads)

Synopsis Formation Of The Solar System, The: Theories Old And New (2nd Edition) by : Michael Mark Woolfson

This fully-updated second edition remains the only truly detailed exploration of the origins of our Solar System, written by an authority in the field. Unlike other authors, Michael Woolfson focuses on the formation of the solar system, engaging the reader in an intelligent yet accessible discussion of the development of ideas about how the Solar System formed from ancient times to the present.Within the last five decades new observations and new theoretical advances have transformed the way scientists think about the problem of finding a plausible theory. Spacecraft and landers have explored the planets of the Solar System, observations have been made of Solar-System bodies outside the region of the planets and planets have been detected and observed around many solar-type stars. This new edition brings in the most recent discoveries, including the establishment of dwarf planets and challenges to the ‘standard model’ of planet formation — the Solar Nebula Theory.While presenting the most up-to-date material and the underlying science of the theories described, the book avoids technical jargon and terminology. It thus remains a digestible read for the non-expert interested reader, whilst being detailed and comprehensive enough to be used as an undergraduate physics and astronomy textbook, where the formation of the solar system is a key part of the course.Michael Woolfson is Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics at University of York and is an award-winning crystallographer and astronomer.

Formation Of The Solar System, The: Theories Old And New

Formation Of The Solar System, The: Theories Old And New
Author :
Publisher : World Scientific
Total Pages : 341
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781908979209
ISBN-13 : 1908979208
Rating : 4/5 (09 Downloads)

Synopsis Formation Of The Solar System, The: Theories Old And New by : Michael Mark Woolfson

This book traces the development of ideas about the origin of the Solar System from ancient times to the present day. A survey of more modern ideas, covering the last 200 years or so, highlights the difficulties experienced by theories and also points the way towards the development of a more successful theory. In particular, the current “standard model” — the Solar Nebula Theory — is examined and discussed in some detail. After more than thirty years of development, this theory has still not settled down into an agreed form, as it experiences both theoretical difficulties and problems with reconciling new observations. By contrast, the Capture Theory, developed over the last forty years by the author, and supported by recent observations provides a complete description of the formation of the Solar System, including an evolutionary hypothesis that explains the detailed structure of the system. Written in an informative yet accessible manner, this book will appeal to both specialist and non-specialist readers alike./a

The Origin of the Solar System

The Origin of the Solar System
Author :
Publisher :
Total Pages : 240
Release :
ISBN-10 : UCSC:32106008696384
ISBN-13 :
Rating : 4/5 (84 Downloads)

Synopsis The Origin of the Solar System by : John R. Dormand

On the Origin of Planets

On the Origin of Planets
Author :
Publisher : World Scientific
Total Pages : 501
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781848165991
ISBN-13 : 1848165994
Rating : 4/5 (91 Downloads)

Synopsis On the Origin of Planets by : M. M. Woolfson

The book begins with a historical review of four major theories for the origin of the Solar System in particular, or of planets in general, which highlight the major problems that need to be solved by any plausible theory. In many theories, including that which form the major theme of this book, the formation of planets and stars is intimately linked, so four chapters are devoted to the processes that can be described as the birth, life and death of stars. Recent observations that have revealed the existence of planets around many Sun-like stars are described in detail, followed by a clear exposition of the Capture Theory for the origin of planets. Many aspects of this theory are illustrated with sophisticated computer modelling that convincingly demonstrates the plausibility of the theory. The Capture Theory is in complete accord with all observations, including the estimate it gives for the proportion of Sun-like stars with planets. It is the only theory that sits comfortably with all present observational and theoretical constraints. The general theory of planet formation does not explain the detailed structure of the Solar System. An early postulated collision of two major planets is shown to explain many disparate features of the Solar System the nature of the terrestrial planets, surface features of the Moon and its relationship with Earth, asteroids, comets and dwarf planets, the relationship between Neptune, Triton and Pluto and the characteristics of meteorites, including the isotopic anomalies found in them. The postulate of a planetary collision is given support by a 2009 NASA observation of the residue of such an event around a distant young star.

Evolution of the Solar System

Evolution of the Solar System
Author :
Publisher :
Total Pages : 620
Release :
ISBN-10 : UIUC:30112104121709
ISBN-13 :
Rating : 4/5 (09 Downloads)

Synopsis Evolution of the Solar System by : Hannes Alfvén

From Suns to Life: A Chronological Approach to the History of Life on Earth

From Suns to Life: A Chronological Approach to the History of Life on Earth
Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages : 371
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780387450834
ISBN-13 : 0387450831
Rating : 4/5 (34 Downloads)

Synopsis From Suns to Life: A Chronological Approach to the History of Life on Earth by : Muriel Gargaud

This review gathers astronomers, geologists, biologists, and chemists around a common question: how did life emerge on Earth? The ultimate goal is to probe an even more demanding question: is life universal? This not-so linear account highlights problems, gaps, and controversies. Discussion covers the formation of the solar system; the building of a habitable planet; prebiotic chemistry, biochemistry, and the emergence of life; the early Earth environment, and much more.

Evolution Exposed

Evolution Exposed
Author :
Publisher :
Total Pages : 0
Release :
ISBN-10 : 1600921914
ISBN-13 : 9781600921919
Rating : 4/5 (14 Downloads)

Synopsis Evolution Exposed by : Roger Patterson

A creationist's critique of the evolutionary ideas found in the three most popular earth science textbooks used in public schools: [1.] Earth science : geology, the environment and the universe / National Geographic Society ; [authors: Frances Scelsi Hess [and others]]. Teacher wraparound ed. (New York : Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, c2005) -- [2.] Prentice Hall earth science / Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens. Teacher's ed. (Needham, Mass. : Pearson Prentice Hall, c2006) -- [3.] Earth science / Mead A. Allison, Arthur T. DeGaetano, Jay M. Pasachoff. Annotated teacher's ed. (Orlando, Fla. : Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2006).

The Structure of the Sun

The Structure of the Sun
Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Total Pages : 422
Release :
ISBN-10 : 0521563070
ISBN-13 : 9780521563079
Rating : 4/5 (70 Downloads)

Synopsis The Structure of the Sun by : T. Roca Cortes

The complex internal structure of the Sun can now be studied in detail through helioseismology and neutrino astronomy. The VI Canary Islands Winter School of Astrophysics was dedicated to examining these powerful new techniques. Based on this meeting, eight specially-written chapters by world-experts are presented in this timely volume. We are shown how the internal composition and dynamical structure of the Sun can be deduced through helioseismology; and how the central temperature can be determined from the flux of solar neutrinos. This volume provides an excellent introduction for graduate students and an up-to-date overview for researchers working on the Sun, neutrino astronomy and helio- and asteroseismology.

The Birth of Modern Astronomy

The Birth of Modern Astronomy
Author :
Publisher : Springer
Total Pages : 594
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9783319990828
ISBN-13 : 3319990829
Rating : 4/5 (28 Downloads)

Synopsis The Birth of Modern Astronomy by : Harm J. Habing

This richly illustrated book discusses the ways in which astronomy expanded after 1945 from a modest discipline to a robust and modern science. It begins with an introduction to the state of astronomy in 1945 before recounting how in the following years, initial observations were made in hitherto unexplored ranges of wavelengths, such as X-radiation, infrared radiation and radio waves. These led to the serendipitous discovery of more than a dozen new phenomena, including quasars and neutron stars, that each triggered a new area of research. The book goes on to discuss how after 1985, the further, systematic exploration of the earlier discoveries led to long-term planning and the construction of new, large telescopes on Earth and in Space. Key scientific highlights described in the text are the detection of exoplanets (1995), the unexpected discovery of the accelerated expansion of the Universe (1999), a generally accepted model for the large-scale properties of the Universe (2003) and the ΛCDM theory (2005) that explains how the galaxies and stars of the present Universe were formed from minute irregularities in the (almost) homogenous gas that filled the early Universe. All these major scientific achievements came at a price, namely the need to introduce two new phenomena that are as yet unexplained by physics: inflation and dark energy. Probably the deepest unsolved question has to be: Why did all of this start with a Big Bang?