How do we arrive at a theory of Solar System formation?
It is impossible to “reverse” the equations of motion, chemistry and physical evolution of a complex system like the solar system to arrive back at its origins unambiguously. The current system is too chaotic, indeterminate and possibly lacking in some of its earliest ‘ingredients’. Even the things we know very well have error bars on them or small builtin uncertainties which would build up such a large uncertainty when we tried to trace them back as tomake our conclusions worthless. So the only way to try to work out a viable theory of the origin of the solar system (and there is no guarantee this would be a unique solution) is to: • Postulate a theory of Formation • Develop that forward in time • Make predictions • Compare those predictions to the current system • Where there are seen to be differences or inconsistencies go back to the beginning with a new or modified theory. Theories to date Theories of the origin of the solar system, universe, earth etc are known generally as cosmo
