Solar System Index

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Asteroid Belt

The planets formed from a larger number of smaller protoplanets in chaotic orbits. Collisions and break ups were frequent. The survivors grew in size by accretion. Their orbits were cicularised by gravitational interaction. Orbit crossers either collided with the survivors or were hurled from the system. Eventually today's planets in their almost circular orbits were all that remained.

The Solar System's rocky bodies still bear the scars gained during the accretion phase. The asteroids are debris from that period.