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Sisters but not twins Sisters but not twins
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The era of planetesimals The era of planetesimals
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Planetary embryos take over Planetary embryos take over
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The final four The final four
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Earth Earth
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Mercury Mercury
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Venus Venus
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Mars Mars
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Nine Worlds of Rock and Metal
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Published:May 2017
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Abstract
This chapter explains how planetesimals—the basic building blocks of planets—are essentially invisible from here on Earth. To understand how planetesimals evolve into planets, one must examine material left over from planetary growth in the solar system, and make use of computer simulations. When planetesimals first formed, they were probably loosely bound mixtures of dust grains, chondrules, and other debris that happened to exist in the solar nebula at the time. As these planetesimals grew hot, volatile materials such as ices and organic tars would have melted and evaporated, ultimately making their way to the surface where they escaped into space. Some reactions between rock and water took place, but the temperature never rose high enough for rocky materials to melt, leaving behind planetesimals composed entirely of rock and metal.
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