Meteorites Evidence in Support of Solar Nebular Hypothesis - Research Paper Example

Meteorites Evidence in Support of Solar Nebular Hypothesis The solar nebula hypothesis proposed by Peirre-Simmon Laplace’s theory in 1796, is a theory, which described the formation of the solar system (Abruzzo 36). This theory has been widely accepted because it is thought to provide a worthwhile explanation of the orbital properties of the solar system and the way planets orbit less or more in the same plane (Abruzzo 44). According to this theory, originally, there existed a big cloud of gas and dust, which became unstable, probably because of the shock waves originating from the nearby density waves or supernova. The part of the cloud, which was the densest begun collapsing under the force of gravity. This force of gravity, then pulled the gas and dust towards the center point of the cloud. The cloud was forced to take a spherical shape, thereby becoming a protostar. Increased centrifugal force or rotation of gas and dust caused this cloud to form a flattened shape or accretion disk around it (Abruzzo 46). According to this hypothesis, this explains why the rotating disk if gas and dust is solar Nebula. A number of studies have sought to confirm this hypothesis, however, the practically of this hypothesis has never been illustrated as it has been illustrated in the American Museum of national History (AMHH). American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) has been one of the world prominent scientific institutions, known for its exhibitions and collections, which illuminate of the Earths evolutions, right from the origin of the present planet to its present form. AMNH is New York Icon. I have always wondered how everything came into being. The mystery of life and therein has been a closely contested subject. Besides, it has always been my dream to visit AMNH and learn of the scientific evidence located in meteorites supports Solar Nebula Hypothesis. Recently, I made my way into the AMNH. The Museum is located at Central park West on the 79th Street and is easily accessed by public transport. Driving to the museum, I got inclined to give a benefit of doubt, though I had no basic grasp of the real evidence for the Solar Nebular Hypothesis. The main entrance to the Rose Center for Earth and Space is situated at 81st Street between the Columbus Avenue and Central Park West. Although I have a personal car, I chose public transport perhaps to evade the huge parking fees. When I arrived at 10 am, I was surprised to find many uniformed police at the entrance, directing traffic. The heavy police presence depicted the 9-11post security situations. Perhaps, this shows the importance of the structure under close security. I marveled at the structure it was huge yet with a modern style. While, at the museum, I sought direction to the Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites. The hall is situated on the far end of the AMNH bordering Sacker Educational library to the south and The Hall of Minerals to the East. First, we watched a movie in the Meteorite Theater, located in the Hall along the Planet Wall display. The movie was breathtaking. It brought into perspective the events that took place million years ago. In essence, the film presented the role of meteorites and their connectedness to the history of the solar system. This offered a solid foundation for the understanding of the concepts later presented in the exhibition. I came across one of this displays which stated that meteorite were rocks from space, which had survived their passage in the universe to land to the surface of the Earth. Some meteorites, are often heard or seen, when they fall and are collected afterwards while other are discovered later. The size of meteorites varies, in that some are large to cause craters upon falling while others are small and one need a help magnifying equipments to vie them. They take different forms, where some resemble igneous rocks, and others are metals. Despite their variation in terms of appearance, size, and manner of discovery, they are all pieces of different bodies in space, which gives clues on the on the Solar Nebula Hypothesis. The Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites explores the essential questions regarding to the origin of the solar system, about 4.6 billion years ago. This is achieved by examining the meteorite rocky fragments originating from space, which reveals of the origin and evolution of the solar system. The hall divides into three sections, which examine the origin of the solar system, underlying processes, meteorite impacts with a detailed description of the impact sites including, South Africa, Kansas, and other regions in the world. This hall comprise of more than 130 scientific meteorites including 34-ton Cape York Meteorite referred to as Alnighito. Besides, the hall features Moon Rocks and Mars specimens collected during the1970s Apollo missions. In addition, a scale model of Meteor Crater of Arizona, referred to as the Barringer Crater, considered as the world’s well-preserved impact crater features with a cutaway section to show how crater formed. In the beginnings of 20th century, this feature was identified as an impact site where it changed scientist’s views regarding about the solar system since researchers and scientists begun to argue that such impacts might have created the moon and other planets. The Center Area At the center of the exhibition is the, Alhnighito, a 34-ton meteorite that is part of the Greenland meteorite. It is the largest meteorite to have ever been collected, and preserved in the National Museum. For many centuries ago, the Inuit who live near it used it a source of metal for harpoon and tools. The first account of its existence led to expeditions to locate the metals. Perry sold it to AMNH were it has is still on display. In this introductory area, touchable specimens and the simple texts explains of the differences between stony iron and iron meteorites, surface features of meteorite as well as the differences between the finds and falls. Besides, two other pieces of Cape York meteorite, that is the woman and the Dog have are on display. The Origins This section examines the origin of the solar system and meteorite formation in the solar Nebula. Component particles of the meteorites are shown and organized according their varying chemical characterizes. In the featured specimen, the pieces of the Allende meteorite, which fell in 1969 in rural Mexico, is unusual meteorite, and others like it have the oldest material in the solar system. The Allende meteorite seen under ordinary light or using across polarized light helps scientist locate different minerals. As we observed under a microscope, there were rounded chondrules embedded in a dark matrix made of mineral dust particles. Primitive meteorites like the chondrites look like time capsules. In essence, they have remained unchanged from the beginning of the solar system, and researchers and scientists who have dedicated efforts to study them have can deduce the age composition as well as conditions the primitive solar system. The small white objects located in meteorites are rich in aluminum and calcium. Such calcium-aluminum inclusions or the CAIs form the oldest objects in the expanse solar system. Based on the compositions of the meteorites, scientist have begun using radiometric dating to calculate the age of the CAIs, of which they have deduced the age of the solar system to be at least 4.567 billion years. The Chondrites comprise of tiny spherical objects known as chondrules, which could have formed when dust grain clumps drifting in the solar nebula, melted, and later solidified rapidly. This supports the Solar Nebula Hypothesis. In the planet section, I examined the beginnings of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago. In this section, many of the featured meteorite specimens illustrate the process of planetary differentiations. Fragments of Brenham meteorite are, an example of the stony iron pallasite meteorite, which has gemlike olive crystals, deep in an iron nickel alloy. In the formation of the solar system, this meteorite formed because of the melting of a large asteroid and differences in density divided it into the core, mantle, and a rocky crust. It originated from the depths of the large asteroid. In planetary differentiation, scientist, have been separating different constituents of the planetary bodies where the body forms distinct layer, where the center has dense material and the outermost has light materials. In conclusion, the tour to the AMNH was great. In particular, The Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites explores the essential questions regarding the origin of the solar system, about 4.6 billion years ago. Indeed the evidence depicted in the meteorites is a clear account for the Solar Nebular Cloud Hypothesis. Work Cited Abruzzo, Anthony. “The Origins of the Nebular Hypothesis Or the Genesis of a Theoretical Cul-de-sac.” The General Science Journal June 15;2009. Read More