Moon formed in Earth's orbit almost 'instantly'

Scientists from Durham University's Institute for Computational Cosmology used supercomputing

simulation to investigate the formation of the Moon. The results of the work showed that the giant collision immediately launched the “embryo” of the satellite into orbit.

Planetary scientists have modeled hundreds of differentcollisions by changing the angle, speed of the collision, the masses and rotation of the two bodies, in search of a scenario that would most accurately describe the existing system of the Earth and the Moon. Researchers believe that much of the Moon formed immediately after the giant impact from a molten mass thrown into orbit, rather than being slowly collected from fragments.

Computer simulation of the formation of the "Moon - Earth" system. Video: Durham University

Depending on how this meltedthe mass will later solidify, simulations suggest that the Moon may have an internal structure different from that suggested by most common models. In addition, the new model explains the similarity in isotopic composition between the lunar rocks returned by the Apollo astronauts and the Earth's mantle.

Currently the most widelyA common theory of the origin of the Moon claims that it was formed about 4.5 billion years ago, shortly after the Earth, from the debris of a giant collision between the planet and a putative Mars-sized body called Theia.

Computer simulation of the formation of the "Moon - Earth" system. Video: Durham University

Scientists believe that future lunar missions will be able to collect more data that will help to better understand the evolution of the Earth's satellite.

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