The moon formed rapidly in a giant impact between Earth and a Mars-sized planet 4.5 billion years ago, according to new research.
It was placed immediately into orbit around Earth – turning a previous theory on its head. Simulations show for the first time how the satellite was born – fueling life by creating a phenomenon called tidal force on its host planet.
“This formation route could help explain the similarity in isotopic composition between the lunar rocks returned by the Apollo astronauts and Earth’s mantle,” said co-author Professor Vincent Eke, of Durham University.
