The Solar System and its planets · A guided course

How a solar system forms

Reconstruct a planetary system from disks, impacts, and ancient grains.

Follow matter from cold clouds through growing worlds, then test the story against real spacecraft observations, meteorite clocks, and competing models. Learn which parts are well established and which measurements could change the details.

6 lessons49 min of lessons + 8 min challengeIntermediate

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Suggested preparation is listed in the course · Start whenever you’re ready

NASA, Jeff Hester, and Paul Scowen (Arizona State University) · Image source ↗

Useful starting points

These courses introduce ideas used here. You can follow them first or start this course now.

How we know things about space →

Learning points

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Correct answer: +10
Lesson complete: +25
All lessons complete: +100
Final challenge: +50

Earn each reward once. Retries never cost points.

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Inside this course

6 lessons

Each lesson builds on the last. Read the story, explore the sources, and check your understanding.

0 of 6 lessons complete

— / 530 pointsEarned in this course

Put it all togetherReview a solar-system origin story5 questions · 8 min · Final review

No account is needed to learn. Your correct answers keep their earned rewards.

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