moon Formed Rapidly After Earth Collided with Mars-Sized Object, NASA Simulation Reveals
WASHINGTON – New, high-resolution computer simulations from NASA suggest the Moon formed in a matter of hours after a colossal impact between the early Earth and a Mars-sized protoplanet named Theia approximately 4.5 billion years ago. This challenges the long-held theory that the Moon coalesced gradually over extended periods from debris ejected by the impact.
The research, led by Jacob Kegerreis of NASA’s Ames Research Center, utilized the most detailed simulations to date, revealing that material from Earth and Theia could have quickly formed a large orbiting object – a “Moon embryo” - far faster than previously believed. Previous, lower-resolution models proved inadequate for accurate results.
A key mystery surrounding the Moon’s formation has been it’s strikingly similar composition to Earth. Isotope analysis of moon rocks indicates a close geological relationship. The older theory, positing the Moon formed primarily from Theia’s material, struggled to explain this similarity unless Theia possessed an almost identical composition to Earth.
The rapid formation scenario offers a more plausible clarification: the impact could have propelled a critically important amount of Earth’s material into orbit, becoming the dominant component of the Moon. This accounts for the observed compositional similarities.
“This study highlights that the journeys of the Earth and the Moon cannot be separated,” NASA stated. ”The giant impact that gave birth to the Moon also played a role in forming the conditions that ultimately allowed Earth to become a habitable planet.” the findings contribute to a broader understanding of planetary evolution throughout the solar system.
Source: NASA
