The theory that the earth was formed of pebbles is strengthened and developed in a new study. Cosmic dust also played a major role in the planet’s creation.
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Last year, a research group at Lund University launched the theory that millimeter-sized stones were sucked together for millions of years and grew to the current size of our celestial body.
This pebble theory conflicts with the notion that Earth was formed by several collisions of giant asteroids.
Now astronomy professor Anders Johansen, in collaboration with researchers in Denmark and China, returns with new findings published in the scientific journal Science Advances.
“Through advanced computer simulations, we can establish that the earth was formed by a combination of pebbles and dust from supernova explosions in the outer solar system, as well as dust from the inner solar system that contained much less dust from supernovae,” says Anders Johansen in a press release from Lund University’s Faculty of Science.
Anders Johansen, professor of astronomy at Lund University. Stock Photography. Photo: Johan Joelsson
According to previously defended explanatory models, the giant planet Jupiter’s gravitational field stopped supernova-rich dust particles from finding their way into the central parts of the solar system. Now the new study shows, according to Anders Johansen, that Jupiter did not play as big a role in the formation of the solar system as previously thought.
