**The Gaseous Hypothesis - Proposed by Immanuel Kant**

**Introduction:**
The Gaseous Hypothesis, also known as the Kant-Laplace hypothesis, was proposed by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant in the 18th century. This hypothesis aimed to explain the origin and formation of the solar system, particularly focusing on the formation of the planets.

**Explanation:**

**1. The Nebular Hypothesis:**
The Gaseous Hypothesis is a part of the broader concept known as the nebular hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, the solar system formed from a huge rotating cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula. As the nebula contracted under its own gravity, it began to spin faster and flatten into a spinning disk.

**2. The Role of Kant:**
Immanuel Kant, a renowned philosopher, proposed the Gaseous Hypothesis as a possible explanation for the formation of the solar system. He suggested that the solar nebula, composed of primordial gas and dust, began to collapse under its own gravity. As it collapsed, it started to spin and flatten into a disk shape due to conservation of angular momentum.

**3. The Role of Laplace:**
Although the Gaseous Hypothesis is often attributed to Kant, it was further developed and popularized by the French mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace in the late 18th century. Laplace expanded on Kant's ideas and provided mathematical explanations for the formation of the solar system.

**4. Formation of Planets:**
According to the Gaseous Hypothesis, the flattened disk of the solar nebula eventually formed a central mass, which became the sun. The remaining material in the disk began to aggregate and form smaller clumps called planetesimals. These planetesimals collided and merged over time to form protoplanets, which later became the planets of the solar system.

**5. Supporting Evidence:**
While the Gaseous Hypothesis was initially proposed based on philosophical reasoning, subsequent scientific discoveries and observations have provided substantial evidence in support of this hypothesis. For example, the similarities in the orbital planes and directions of rotation of the planets are consistent with the idea that they formed from a spinning disk-like structure.

**Conclusion:**
In conclusion, the Gaseous Hypothesis, proposed by Immanuel Kant and further developed by Pierre-Simon Laplace, provides a plausible explanation for the formation of the solar system. It suggests that the solar nebula collapsed, flattened into a disk, and eventually formed the sun and the planets. While the Gaseous Hypothesis was proposed based on philosophical reasoning, it has gained scientific support through subsequent observations and discoveries.