Earthed

Why do we have Terrestrial planets close to the sun and Jovian planets farther away?

Explain why we have Terrestrial planets close to the Sun and Jovian planets farther away. Include in your explanation concepts such as condensation temperature and the Frost Line.
OR



Our Solar System consists of planets that orbit in the same direction on roughly the same plane (Pluto is no longer considered a planet). Explain how the conservation of angular momentum in the slowly rotating collapsing spherical solar nebula would result in these features.

Public Comments

1. nobody really knows.
   
   
   
   back when our Solar System was the only one we knew about, the theory sorta went ... a hot star will cause the lighter gases to be lost off the closer planets.
   
   
   
   Now, we know that gas giants can exist VERY close to a hot star, so... back to the drawing board.
   
   
   
   Personally, I always liked the theory that the Inner Planets first atmosphere was blown away by a flare off the Sun... perhaps it was a T Tauri variable when it was young. Sorta like zits.
   
   
   
   This theory explains the density and surface of Mercury.
   
   
   
   Also, it is easier to swallow than the 'suddenly a new kind of bacteria developed on Earth' theory. I HATE that one.
   
   
   
   Oh, and read Sci American last month if you want an interesting spin on "Wow, planet science is HARD"
2. Luck of the draw. Other systems have Jovian type planets close in to their star