Origin of the Solar System

Contents

Contributors

Preface and Introduction

Historical Review of Theories of the Origin of the Solar System

I. Descartes' Vortex Theory

II. The First Tidal Theory

III. The Nebular Hypothesis: Kant

IV. The Nebular Hypothesis : LaPlace

V. The Influence of Electric and Magnetic Effects

VI. Modern Tidal Theories

VII. The Binary and Triple Star Theories

VIII. A Revival of Kant's Theory

IX. Again the Solar Magnetic Field

X. The Supernova Hypothesis

XI. The Role of Turbulence

XII. The Dust-Cloud Hypothesis

XIII. Gravitational Instability in the Solar Nebula

XIV. An Extension of von Weizsäker's Theory

XV. The Russian School of Cosmogony

XVI. Evidence from the Meteorites

XVII. Recent Developments and Future Prospects

References

Star Formation

I. Introduction

II. Environment of Star Formation

III. Stages in Star Formation

IV. Stage One—Formation of Interstellar Clouds

V. Start of Second Stage—Instability of Protostar

VI. Development of Second Stage—Collapse and Fragmentation

VII. Stage Three—Helmholtz Contraction of Protostar

VIII. Stage Four—Second Collapse

Contraction of the Sun toward the Main Sequence

Formation of the Planets

Dissipation of the Solar Nebula

Formation of Light Nuclei

The Formation of the Solar Nebula

Meteorites and the Early History of the Solar System

I. Introduction

II. Early Thermal History of Meteoritic Matter

III. Primordial Noble Gases

IV. Chemical Fractionations in Chondrites

V. Extinct Radioactivity and General Isotopic Anomalies

VI. Conclusions

References

Properties of Chondrules—I

Properties of Chondrules—II

The Interiors of the Planets

Problems Requiring Solution

Subject Index