Timeline of the solar system

How did scientists create a timeline for the formation of our Solar System?

They have compared surface features on planets and moons across the solar system, the orbits of asteroids and comets, and the chemical composition and ages for recovered meteorites. From all this effort, and with constant checking of data against mathematical models, scientists have created a timeline for the formation of our solar system.

When did the Solar System start?

There is evidence that the formation of the Solar System began about 4.6 billion years ago with the gravitational collapse of a small part of a giant molecular cloud. [ 1 ]

What events shaped our Solar System?

A condensed timeline of the events that shaped our solar system. The Big Bang brought the Universe into existence 13.8 billion years ago. Our solar system formed much later, about 4.6 billion years ago. It began as a gigantic cloud of dust and gas created by leftover supernova debris—the death of other stars created our own.

How long did Solar System formation last?

This model for solar system formation was widely accepted for about 100 years. During this period, the apparent regularity of motions in the solar system was contradicted by the discovery of asteroids with highly eccentric orbits and moons with retrograde orbits.

How old is the Solar System?

To estimate the age of the Solar System, scientists use meteorites, which were formed during the early condensation of the solar nebula. Almost all meteorites (see the Canyon Diablo meteorite) are found to have an age of 4.6 billion years, suggesting that the Solar System must be at least this old. [ 141 ]

How many years ago did the universe form?

To learn more, read our Solar System History 101 article. 13.8 billion years ago: The Big Bang forms the universe. 4.6 billion years ago: A group of protostars, one of which will become the Sun, form from a cloud of debris left by prior star explosions in the Milky Way.