All articles tagged with #giant impact theory
A new study challenges the idea that Jupiter's dilute core was formed by a massive impact, suggesting instead that it developed gradually during the planet's formation, a theory supported by similar structures observed in Saturn and implications for exoplanets.
Scientists have proposed four leading theories on how the moon formed. The capture theory suggests that the moon was wandering through the universe and was captured into Earth's orbit. However, this theory is unlikely due to the moon's size. The accretion hypothesis suggests that the moon and Earth emerged from the same cosmic cloud of dust. Another theory suggests that the moon is material shed by the Earth as it started spinning. The most widely accepted theory is the giant impact theory, which suggests that a Mars-sized planet called Theia collided with Earth, causing material to be ejected into space and eventually forming the moon. However, there are still unanswered questions and ongoing research to reconcile the finer details of this theory.
The moon is believed to be 40 million years older than previously thought, according to a study using lunar crystals brought back from the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The crystals, which formed after the giant impact that created the moon, were analyzed using radiometric dating, pushing back the moon's age to at least 4.46 billion years old. Understanding the moon's age is important as it plays a crucial role in stabilizing Earth's rotational axis and influencing tides. The findings provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our natural system.