We Asked a NASA Scientist: Where Did Our Moon Come From?

Moon Formation

Artist’s impression of the Moon-forming occasion. Quite a few moon formation theories have been steered by researchers. Nonetheless, essentially the most widely-accepted clarification, backed by the obtainable proof, posits that the moon resulted from an enormous collision between the proto-Earth and one other protoplanet roughly the dimensions of Mars, sometimes called “Theia.” Credit score: NASA/JPL-CalTech/T. Pyle

The place did our Moon come from?

Nicely, really, there have been a number of theories over many a long time. Earlier variations of lunar formation theories included seize, the place the Moon would have been a strayed planetoid. One other model was fission, the place the Earth was spinning so quick that it might have ejected out of the Earth after which fashioned its personal physique.

This led to our present concept, the big impactor concept. So this collision was through the late phases of planetary formation all through our complete photo voltaic system, when planets have been nonetheless very new and really a lot forming. So this occurred when Earth was simply an embryo — a child planet, and this was really in a crash course collision with Theia, which is a Mars-size planetoid. And this collision ripped aside early Earth’s crust. And that crust then coalesced. It snowballed into a completely separate entity, which we now name the Moon.

So the place did our Moon come from? Nicely, presently, our understanding is that the Earth had collided with a Mars-sized object named Theia. However as soon as we ship future astronauts to the lunar floor once more, who is aware of? We may very well have an entire new concept within the coming a long time.


The place did our Moon come from? Through the years, there have been a number of theories, however most scientists suppose it’s doubtless that a Mars-sized object smashed into Earth, creating what we now see within the sky. NASA scientist Caitlin Ahrens shines a light-weight on the Moon’s mysterious origins. Credit score: NASA

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