Formation of the Moon. Artwork of the Moon forming in the skies of a proto-Earth following the collision that led to its formation. This illustrates t
Formation of the Moon. Artwork of the Moon forming in the skies of a proto-Earth following the collision that led to its formation. This illustrates the giant impact theory of the formation of the Moon. This theory says that a proto-planet (Theia) about the size of Mars collided with the Earth around billion years ago, soon after they both formed. The impact was side-on, rather than a direct impact. Material from the outer layers of both bodies was thrown into orbit around the Earth, forming a ring. This then coalesced to form the Moon. For Theia approaching the Earth just before the collision, see image C016/5352.
Size: 5373px × 3594px
Photo credit: © RICHARD BIZLEY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: artwork, coalescence, coalescing, collision, debris, early, earth, formation, forming, geology, giant, hadean, historical, history, illustration, impact, impacting, lunar, molten, moon, orbiting, origin, planet, planetary, planets, precambrian, prehistoric, prehistory, primordial, protoplanet, protoplanetary, reforming, ring, rock, rocky, science, sequence, series, solar, space, system, terran, terrestrial, theia, theory
