Unfinished Business

Pluto, Eris, and Planethood

• Pluto discovery by Clyde Tombaugh (from Streator IL!)
• Pluto: Charon discovery image (1978) HST image (1994), Pluto surface (2001), yet more moons (2011)
• New Horizons gallery
• Quaoar, Sedna, and finally: Eris (nee Xena)
• votes are in: IAU resolution demoting Pluto

Origin of the Solar System

Ages of the Earth & Solar System: Radioactive Dating

• radioactivity
• radioactive decay simulations here

Protosolar Nebula Theory

• Theory building
• Solar Solar system data to be explained:
  architecture, dynamical patterns, planetary patterns small body populations: asteroid belt Kuiper Belt Oort Cloud
• Prosolar nebula initial conditions: molecular cloud like this iconic image in the Eagle Nebula (aka M16)
• ingredients: gas and dust
• gravitational collapse simulation
• Protoplanetary disk: artist's conception, simulation
• The rise of planets