Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy
Would this be a correct understanding of the process? Things in a rotating spherical distribution can move towards the centre (or central disc) in the direction parallel to the axis of spin as there is no force opposing the mutual gravitational attraction, but the orbital momentum of some objects will be enough to stop them collapsing towards the axis of rotation of the sphere - these end up forming the disc. For some it will not and these will become part of the star. Others are so far out that the mutual gravitational attraction is not strong enough to pull them into the disc or may compete with gravity from objects outside the solar system and these form the Oort cloud.
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This is roughly how I understand this process of star & planetary system formation.. and existence of Oort cloud.
Except that initial collapse is not parallel to the axis of spin, but perpendicular to it.. until the central star is formed with spin corresponding to the overall rot momentum of the material that collapsed.
Planets are formed around lumps in the disk, and again those "sub-disks" are formed for the same reasons, in roughly the same plane (ecliptic)