nebular hypothesis

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noun Astronomy.

the theory that the solar system evolved from a mass of nebular matter: prominent in the 19th century following its precise formulation by Laplace.

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Origin of nebular hypothesis

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby nebular hypothesis

Nebraska, Nebraskan, nebris, Nebuchadnezzar, nebula, nebular hypothesis, nebulated, nebulium, nebulize, nebulizer, nebulose

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use nebular hypothesis in a sentence

Though researchers have struggled to understand exactly what contributes to this gender difference, Dr. Rohan has one hypothesis.
9 Ways to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder|DailyBurn|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The leading hypothesis for the ultimate source of the Ebola virus, and where it retreats in between outbreaks, lies in bats.
Bats’ Link to Ebola Finally Solved|Carrie Arnold|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1996, John Paul II called the Big Bang theory “more than a hypothesis.”
Even the Pope Isn’t a Hard-Core Creationist|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To be clear: There have been no double-blind or controlled studies that conclusively confirm this hair-loss hypothesis.
Birth Control Made My Hair Fall Out, and I’m Not the Only One|Molly Oswaks|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The bacteria-driven-ritual hypothesis ignores the huge diversity of reasons that could push someone to perform a religious ritual.
The Midichlorians Made Me Do It: Can Microbes Explain Religion?|Michael Schulson|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And remember it is by our hypothesis the best possible form and arrangement of that lesson.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Taken in connection with what we know of the nebulæ, the proof of Laplace's nebular hypothesis may fairly be regarded as complete.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
What has become of the letter from M. de St. Mars, said to have been discovered some years ago, confirming this last hypothesis?
Notes and Queries, Number 196, July 30, 1853|Various
To admit that there had really been any communication between the dead man and the living one is also an hypothesis.
Urania|Camille Flammarion
"I consider it highly probable," asserted Aunt Maria, forgetting her Scandinavian hypothesis.
Overland|John William De Forest

British Dictionary definitions for nebular hypothesis

nebular hypothesis

noun

the theory that the solar system evolved from the gravitational collapse of nebular matter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for nebular hypothesis

nebular hypothesis

[ nĕb′yə-lər ]

A model of star and planet formation in which a nebula contracts under the force of gravity, eventually flattening into a spinning disk with a central bulge. A protostar forms at the nebula's center. As matter condenses around the protostar in the bulge, planets are formed from the spinning matter in the disk. This theory is widely accepted to account for the formation of stars and planetary systems such as ours. The first version of the nebular hypothesis was proposed in 1755 by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant and modified in 1796 by Pierre Laplace.♦ The nebula that according to this hypothesis condensed to form the solar system is called the solar nebula.