Lecture 2: Solar System Formation

Question 1

What elements did the Big Bang create at first?

Answer 1

H (75%)
He (25%)
A bit of Li

Question 2

What happens to the H and He to form stars?

Answer 2

H and He collect into clouds and collapse to form the first generation of stars

Question 3

What does nuclear fusion do inside of stars?

Answer 3

Nuclear fusion inside the stars produces the heavier elements that are then released into space via star death (supernovae)

Question 4

How do the nebulae form?

Answer 4

After generations of star births and death

Question 5

What are nebulae made out of?

Answer 5

Enriched clouds of gas and dust

Question 6

Two nebulae studied in class

Answer 6

• Eagle Nebula (M16)
• Orion Nebula (M42)

Question 7

What happens to areas that are particularly dense?

Answer 7

They will gravitationally collapse into proplyds

Question 8

What does proplyd stand for?

Answer 8

PROto PLanetarY DiskS

Question 9

Where is mass concentrated? What does this mean?

Answer 9

• In the center
• More atoms colliding and increasing the temperature

Question 10

What happens at 10^6 K?

Answer 10

The center of the disk has become a protostar, although no nuclear fusion is occurring yet

Question 11

What is the core of the protostar?

Answer 11

H ions and electrons