Thanks to all for not being too hard on my Earth/Sun theory. You're all probably gonna have a field day with this next one though, 'cause it's pretty "out there".

As far as my credentials go, I've got a bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, and an associates in Computer Engineering. I've worked for Unisys, RS Technologies, Delco Electronics, and Ford. I'm also a musician, and run a recording studio out of my basement. Variety is the spice of life.

Frank Zappa once said that colleges were for lazy people. His point was that anyone with interest can go to a library and study any given subject. A degree is only a piece of paper that proves you studied. Also, consider the date on the paper. People with masters degrees in computer engineering from the 70's often have less useful knowlege then the average high school student does today.

David, you're more than welcome to use any of my theories in any way you see fit. Knowlege, if not shared, is useless.

And now, for your continued enjoyment, my planetary formation theory....

Planetary Formation Theory
Billion Watts, the armchair astrophysicist 2/1/2001

Theory:
Our sun gives birth to relatively pea-sized planets like Mercury, by ejecting a small amount of matter when it reaches a threshold of magnetic/explosive activity. (Fact: All types of known matter exist within the sun in a gaseous state, even iron at 2 million degrees centigrade. The sun goes through a violent explosive period every 11 years, which seems to be increasing in major activity during each subsequent period studied since 1890 CE.)
The solar activity cycle increases as the sun falls into alignment with the galactic center of the Milky Way galaxy. (Fact: A recent study of the archaeological record has proven that dramatic earth climatic changes are related to our earth’s position in the heavens. Alignments occur as a result of our position in the galaxy relative to the whole.)
After the sun ejects a tiny bit of matter forming a planet, the remaining planets shift back about one position, like electrons changing orbital energy states in an atom after it has been excited. As they move back through the positions, their mantles open and gases are released. Slowly they turn from barren (Mercury), to developing (Venus), to inhabitable (Earth), then placed far enough out of orbit to start losing its magnetosphere and atmosphere (Mars) as the interior dynamo slows.
As the planets move back in position, the mantles open further making them become more gaseous (Jovian). (Fact: Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, and Uranus are all Jovian type planets. Pluto is ice, but isn't even considered a planet by some, as it is part of a large ice field on the outskirts of our solar system, and is 17 degrees off from the declination of the rest of the system. The inner planets (Mars, Earth, Venus, and Mercury) are all terrestrial.)

The gaseous planets require less influence from the sun to remain stable, since they are predominately gas. Their claim to fame of great mass is highly overrated, since gas takes up space but doesn't weigh a whole lot.

(Fact: A large asteroid belt exists between Mars and Jupiter.) The belt could have been formed when Jupiter's outer crust ruptured as the mantle fully opened, as it exploded on it's way to becoming a gaseous giant. (Another theory states that a planet should exist in that location to fit with the order of our solar system, but some have objected due to the lack of matter. If an extra planet did exist at one time, it may have been knocked out of the way by a huge asteroid like a billiard ball.)

All the best, Billion Watts
http://www.billionwatts.com