Artist's impression of the nascent Solar System, approximately 4.5 billion years ago
Artist's impression of the nascent Solar System, approximately 4.5 billion years ago
The Sun has already ignited its nuclear fire, burning hydrogen to produce helium. The first protoplanets circle the young Sun within the accretion disc, which continues to provide the large volumes of dust and gas that the planets need to grow.
Credit:
NASA/JPL-Caltech.