SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -What is most widely accepted today is the giant-impact theory. It proposes that the Moon formed during a collision between the Earth and another small planet, about the size of Mars. The debris from this impact collected in an orbit around Earth to form the Moon.

Detailed explanation-2: -Although the co-formation theory and the capture theory both explain some elements of the existence of the Moon, they leave many questions unanswered. At present, the giant impact hypothesis seems to cover many of these questions, making it the best model to fit the scientific evidence for how our Moon was created.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 1974, Hartmann and Davis proposed what became known as the Giant Impact Theory. They theorized that the moon formed when a Mars-sized planet dubbed Theia – the moon’s Titan mother in Greek mythology – struck Gaia, the early Earth, more than 4.5 billion years ago.

Detailed explanation-4: -Scientists have found fresh evidence in lunar rocks showing that the moon was likely formed after a Mars-sized planet crashed into the proto-Earth more than 4 billion years ago. A NASA-led team examined moon rocks brought back to Earth by Apollo astronauts more than 50 years ago.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Giant Impact Scientists have proposed many ideas for how the Moon formed. A leading contender, the Giant Impact theory, speculates that when Earth was a young planet and just beginning to form, it was hit by another emerging planet named Theia, located nearby.

Detailed explanation-6: -The core of the colliding object combined with the Earth’s own dense core. The Moon was formed with much less iron and other heavy elements to form its core. Lunar rock samples and meteorites contain the chemistry of the Moon and support the Giant Impact hypothesis.