Astronomy › Section J · Small bodies and the origin of the solar system › Topic J.6
Other planetary systems and planetary evolution
Until the 1990s our solar system was the only planetary system we knew, so it was easy to assume it was typical. Thousands of planets around other stars have shown otherwise, and comparing worlds, here and elsewhere, shows how size, distance and chemistry steer each planet's later history.
In this topic
- Discs around young stars
- Finding planets indirectly
- Systems unlike ours
- Planets on the move
- Size decides how long a world stays active
- Worked example: why the Moon went quiet first
- Worked example: why Mars has the tallest volcano
- Three atmospheres from one start
- Where could life exist?
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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