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Why are solar systems and galaxies flat?
I find it peculiar that astronomical clusters (ie: solar systems and galaxies) are arranged in a flat plane. Can someone explain why?
I understand that: any solar system originates from a random cloud of dust and gas. This cloud will feel its mutual gravitational attraction and the constituents will gradually orbit around a center. I presume that cloud could be originally distributed across the confines of a solid sphere (not a flat circle). As such, the constituents should orbit not just in a plane, but on planes through the great circles on a sphere.
I find it peculiar that astronomical clusters (ie: solar systems and galaxies) are arranged in a flat plane. Can someone explain why?
I understand that: any solar system originates from a random cloud of dust and gas. This cloud will feel its mutual gravitational attraction and the constituents will gradually orbit around a center. I presume that cloud could be originally distributed across the confines of a solid sphere (not a flat circle). As such, the constituents should orbit not just in a plane, but on planes through the great circles on a sphere.
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