On the Origin of Planets: By Means of Natural Simple Processes

On the Origin of Planets: By Means of Natural Simple Processes
ISBN-10
1908977922
ISBN-13
9781908977922
Category
Science
Pages
500
Language
English
Published
2010-09-23
Publisher
World Scientific
Author
Michael M Woolfson

Description

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. Contents:Observations of StarsProducing Protostars — Embryonic StarsThe Life and Death of a StarThe Evolution of a Galactic ClusterExoplanets — Planets Around Other StarsThe Formation of Planets: The Capture TheoryOrbital EvolutionThe Frequency of Planetary SystemsSatellite FormationFeatures of the Solar SystemInteractions Between PlanetsThe MoonMars and MercuryNeptune, Triton and PlutoDwarf Planets, Asteroids, Comets and the Kuiper BeltMeteorites: Their Physical and Chemical PropertiesIsotopic Anomalies in MeteoritesOverview and Conclusions Readership: Undergraduates to researchers and also of general interest. Keywords:Planets: Solar SystemKey Features:There are no competing titlesThe structure of the book, with main chapters and appendices, should make it accessible and of interest to readers of different backgroundsThe theory it deals with is described in fine detail — a model of presentation inspired by On The Origin of SpeciesReviews:“The first quarter of the presentation is a masterful summary of the history of the speculation about the origin of the sun and planets, a description of the properties of stars and star clusters, and an introduction to the exciting and developing field of exoplanets, objects that orbit distant stars … The presentation is primarily qualitative, with the supporting physical principles usefully relegated to an extensive suite of appendixes … the level is suitable for the advanced undergraduate.”CHOICE “This book describes the history and the problem of planetary formation question in more complete and attractive detail. In an unusual but excellent feature, the basic physics needed at each stage is broken out into a long series of appendices, 39 in all.”Contemporary Physics

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