New model reconciles the Moon's Earth-like composition with the giant impact theory of formation
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 15:00
in Astronomy & Space
The giant impact believed to have formed the Earth-Moon system has long been accepted as canon. However, a major challenge to the theory has been that the Earth and Moon have identical oxygen isotope compositions, even though earlier impact models indicated they should differ substantially. A new model accounts for this similarity in composition while also yielding an appropriate mass for Earth and the Moon.