Solar system timeline
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Solar System Timeline: Key Events and Evolution
Formation of the Solar System (4.56 Billion Years Ago)
The solar system began forming approximately 4.56 billion years ago. This process started with the collapse of a molecular cloud, leading to the formation of the Sun and a surrounding protoplanetary disk6. The initial phase, known as the "stellar era," saw the Sun forming in less than a million years within a stellar cluster4. This was followed by the "disk era," where circumstellar disks evolved and planets began to form4.
Early Solar System Events (First 10 Million Years)
During the first 10 million years, significant events shaped the early solar system. The formation of the first solids, such as calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), marked the beginning of this period around 4.571 billion years ago3. Concurrently, small planetesimals accreted, storing these CAIs for later dispersal among larger bodies3. The formation of chondrules and the differentiation of protoplanetary bodies also occurred during this time, driven by the decay of short-lived radionuclides like 26Al3 9.
Planetary Formation and Differentiation (First 100 Million Years)
The first 100 million years were crucial for the formation and differentiation of planetary bodies. This period, known as the "telluric era," saw the formation of terrestrial planets and the development of their atmospheres and oceans4. Giant planets formed their cores and accreted nebular gas, reaching their present masses5. The chaotic rearrangement of giant planets' orbits led to the Late Heavy Bombardment, a period of intense meteorite impacts5.
Solar System Evolution and Chaotic Dynamics (50-60 Million Years Ago)
Between 50 and 60 million years ago, the solar system experienced a chaotic resonance transition, significantly impacting its dynamical evolution1. This period coincided with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), suggesting an orbital trigger for this climatic event1. The new astronomical solution (ZB18a) provided a precise timeline for this transition, highlighting the inherent chaoticity of the solar system's dynamics1.
Long-Term Solar Activity (Millennia)
Over millennia, solar activity has been reconstructed using indirect proxies like cosmogenic isotopes (e.g., 14C and 10Be) found in natural archives such as tree rings and ice cores2. These reconstructions reveal the long-term behavior of solar activity, including the occurrence of grand minima and maxima, which have implications for solar and stellar dynamo theories2. The study of strong solar energetic-particle (SEP) events suggests that the present-day average SEP flux is consistent with long-term estimates, with extra-strong events being unlikely2.
Recent Solar Activity and Future Predictions
Recent studies have explored the evolution of solar activity, particularly sunspot cycles, beyond 2016. Data indicate a decline in geomagnetic indices and solar polar magnetic field intensity, suggesting a potential grand minimum in the near future7. The identification of Hale Cycle terminators, such as the one in December 2021, helps predict the amplitude and timing of future sunspot cycles, with Cycle 25 expected to peak between late 2023 and mid-202410.
Conclusion
The timeline of the solar system encompasses its formation, early events, planetary differentiation, and long-term solar activity. From the initial collapse of a molecular cloud to the chaotic dynamics and recent solar activity, each phase has played a crucial role in shaping the solar system as we know it today. Understanding these events provides valuable insights into the past and future evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Solar System chaos and the Paleocene–Eocene boundary age constrained by geology and astronomy
The Solar System experienced a chaotic resonance transition between 50 and 60 million years ago, providing a new absolute astrochronology up to 58 Ma and a new Paleocene-Eocene boundary age (56.01 0.05 Ma).
Highly CitedA history of solar activity over millennia
The indirect proxy method using cosmogenic isotopes provides a solid basis for studying solar variability over millennia, with the present-day average SEP flux consistent with estimates on longer timescales.
Highly CitedEarly solar system events and timescale
The early solar system's age is 4571 Ma, when calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions formed, small planetesimals accreted, and large planetesimals melted, leading to basaltic volcanism within a few million years.
Highly Cited3. Solar System Formation and Early Evolution: the First 100 Million Years
The early stages of solar system formation and evolution are dominated by the Sun's formation, disk evolution, and planet formation, with meteorites providing key constraints on the solar nebula and planet formation.
Highly CitedVesta and Ceres: Crossing the History of the Solar System
Vesta and Ceres were among the first bodies to form in the Solar System, passing through three different phases of its history, and their data from the Dawn mission can help interpret their evolution.
The formation of the solar system
The solar system formed about 4.56 Gyr ago, with meteorites, present solar system structure, and planet-forming systems around young stars providing clues about its formation.
Highly CitedEvolution of sunspot number timeline for next several cycles beyond 2016
Sunspot activity may decline beyond 2016 and may reach a grand minimum level, impacting solar physics and future space weather/climate.
Uranium isotope compositions of the basaltic angrite meteorites and the chronological implications for the early Solar System
The Pb-Pb age of basaltic angrite meteorites has been recalculated, resulting in a correction of 1 million years, improving our understanding of early Solar System events.
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