NASA releases a roughly 3-minute animation on solar system formation

NASA Science offers an animated, roughly 3-minute video that explains how the solar system formed.

The animation explores the processes that produced the Sun, eight planets, hundreds of moons, and many thousands of asteroids and comets. It also features a downloadable poster available in three sizes: 8.5 x 11 inches, 8.5 x 13 inches, and 11 x 17 inches.

The resource is listed for introductory (K–5) and intermediate (6–8) levels. It ties to Heliophysics Big Idea 3.3 — "Our Sun, like all stars, has a life cycle" — and aligns with NGSS topics ESS1 (Earth's Place in the Universe), PS1 (Matter and its Interactions), PS2 (Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions), and PS3 (Energy). Heliophysics topics noted include the Sun, the Solar System, and stellar evolution, and the page references missions such as Parker Solar Probe, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

The material type is listed as an animation/visualization, the language is English, and the cost per learner is marked free. The source indicates where to find the resource for viewing and download.

Key Topics

Science, Solar System, Sun, Stellar Evolution, Parker Solar Probe, Solar Dynamics Observatory