New research reckons Earth birthed the moon
- 6 years ago
SPACE— Researchers theorize that the moon was created inside Earth in a new study published this week.
The most prominent lunar formation theory holds that the moon was formed when a Mars-sized object named Theia hit Earth 4.6 billion years ago. A cocktail of rock and metal erupted from both celestial bodies, mixing together to birth the moon.
New research posits that a collision with something did occur but instead created a
giant donut-like spinning mass of vaporized rock called a synestia. Researchers believe the moon was fashioned inside this — potentially over hundreds of years — by atmospheric pressure, extreme heat and rock.
Details of the findings were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
The most prominent lunar formation theory holds that the moon was formed when a Mars-sized object named Theia hit Earth 4.6 billion years ago. A cocktail of rock and metal erupted from both celestial bodies, mixing together to birth the moon.
New research posits that a collision with something did occur but instead created a
giant donut-like spinning mass of vaporized rock called a synestia. Researchers believe the moon was fashioned inside this — potentially over hundreds of years — by atmospheric pressure, extreme heat and rock.
Details of the findings were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.