New Supercomputer Simulation Sheds Light on Moon’s Origin

Formation Event: According to the Giant Impact Hypothesis, the Moon was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago during the early stages of the solar system's formation. A Mars-sized celestial body, often called "Theia," is believed to have collided with the young Earth.

Violent Collision: The impact between Earth and Theia was incredibly powerful and violent. It's thought to have been a glancing blow rather than a direct head-on collision. The collision released an enormous amount of energy, causing both bodies to be subjected to intense heat and pressure.

Ejection of Material: The collision resulted in the ejection of a substantial amount of material from both Earth and Theia into space. This ejected material formed a large cloud or ring of debris surrounding Earth.

Moon Formation: Over time, the debris in the Earth's orbit began to coalesce and come together due to gravitational forces. This process ultimately led to the formation of the Moon. The material that formed the Moon primarily originated from the impactor (Theia) and Earth's outer layers.

Coalescence and Stabilization: As the Moon formed, it initially existed as a molten mass. Over millions of years, it gradually cooled and solidified. Eventually, the Moon's surface became stable, and it took on the familiar appearance we observe today.